My mother, GiGi, is terrified of looking her age, but I believe she’s even more terrified of feeling her age. She’s had a lot of health issues in her lifetime, dating all the way back to her early 20s, and so she’s always been very conscious about taking care of her body and her mind. She is a firm believer in preventive medicine, and so she’s always, as far back as I can remember, eaten pretty well, taken a plethora of supplements and exercised like, well, like her life depended on it. Which in a way, I guess it has.
Recently, her GP told her to look into making the switch to a vegan lifestyle. Her doctor feels that with her particular medical history, a menu which does not contain animal by-products would really be best for her. She’s just started fairly recently, so I’m curious to see where it takes her. But I might also add in here that my brother is also a vegan. I don’t know the particulars of his reason to adhere to something so extreme, but I do know that he read a book called “Skinny Bitch” that scared his meat cravings right out of him. I should add here that I’m fairly certain the book was his girlfriend’s, and out of curiosity he picked it up and became hooked.
Now myself, I love books. Not necessarily “self-help” books, but books about diet, nutrition and general health are particular favorites of mine. And so my mother recommended that I start by reading Dr. Oz’s newest, called “You: Staying Young: The Owner’s Manual for Extending Your Warranty (You).” I bought my copy today and intend to start it this evening. She said it’s a good precursor to the book that she really wants me to read, called “Food For Life: How the New Four Food Groups Can Save Your Life.” My mother is convinced that my illnesses in the past year or so directly correlate to my diet. And although I swear I eat pretty well, I know what she means. I eat too much meat, too much dairy. As a kid, I was deathly allergic to milk , so when I outgrew the allergy, I might have gone a little overboard. But I had a lot of time to make up for. Can you imagine as a kid, going to a birthday party and not being able to have cake? As a matter of fact, in elementary school, my best friend Lyssa’s birthday party was at her father’s gourmet chocolate shop at the Water Tower Place mall in Chicago. As party favors, all the kids took home giant blocks of chocolate in the shape of their first name’s initial. Me? I took home a bag of lollipops. And then, there were all the summer’s of popsicles when other kids were eating ice cream cones. It was not a lot of fun.
To this day, I know I consume far too much dairy. Ask me my favorite food? I will tell you cheese. Just cheese. Any kind of cheese will do.
My stomach kind of hurts just thinking about that one.
Anyway, I’m not sure how this is all going to work out for me. To be honest, I am a firm believer that bacon makes everything taste better. But I’m willing to give it a try because these last few months in particular have been hell on me. I’ll see where it takes me, but for now? I’ve just made the vow to cut red meat and poultry out of my diet. I want to see if it’s manageable and also if I’m going to feel the effects of it in a positive way, before I commit to anything else more intense.
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Hi! I just wanted to say that going vegetarian (and then vegan) was one of the best things I’ve done. I did it to spare the suffering of animals, but I’m so grateful for the health benefits, too. Good luck to your mom!
Tracy
I love to hear you praising bacon! I’m not sure life would be the same without pig in my diet. Pork, ham, bacon, prosciutto…I could go on. Have you tried switching to organic? if you are cutting back on meat then the savings would easily pay for the higher price for organic dairy and meat. I read a book (well I skimmed it, actually) called “Our Toxic World” a few years ago and I was already buying organic produce, but that pushed me right over the edge to start buying organic milk and meat. It even convinced my husband, who at the time was almost anti-organic. We rarely have illness in our family and when we do it is mild and short lived.
I just heard about the book Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous that might also interest you. I haven’t read it yet, but it is in my shopping cart on Amazon!
Jennifer –
I’d love both recipes. I love lasagna and have no problem going meatless but my husband, a true carnivore, is in a panic. I think he believes he’s going to be living on lentils and tofu! I think he’d really appreciate a fantastic vegetarian chili recipe, chili being one of his all-time favorites! If you could email me at mtm@melissathemouth.com, I would really appreciate it. And of course, I’ll let you know how the recipes work out!
Also, I think you mentioned several weeks ago something about some referrals to good books on Judaism that might help me assimilate my children into the religion? I’m making an assumption here based on the “no shellfish” statement that you are the same Jennifer? If not, I apologize profusely. But if you are, I’d love any recommendations you might have!
Thanks again!
Hey there – just wanted to throw in a few cents on the red meat/poultry thing. I gave up red meat about 10 years ago and gave up poultry about 7 years ago. I’ve had the occasional BITE of chicken or turkey (Thanksgiving, for example), but not a whole serving with one major exception – last week at my parents’ house. I gave up red meat because my body can’t handle it, and I gave up poultry after reading Fast Food Nation. I don’t eat pork or shellfish (Jewish), but I eat my fair share of fresh fish (e.g., salmon, trout). I must say, I generally have fewer GI/digestive issues than I did when I was eating red meat and poultry.
When I was at my parents’ house last week, I basically wasn’t going to survive without eating some chicken (grr). My body just wasn’t very happy while we were there. Within a few days of being home, I feel so much better eating my usual goodies.
If you ever want some cooking tips or suggestions for changing favorite recipes to exclude meat, let me know. My husband makes a fantastic meatless chili, and I make a pretty darned good lasagna.
This is super interesting Melissa. It’s definitely something worthy of investigating.
I hope you’re doing well!
XOXO
After reading Natural cures (with a grain of salt), I changed a LOT of my diet to deal with chronic migraines. I was on daily medication for years, w/horrible side effects that I was willing to put up w/just to ease the pain of migraines. When I wanted to get pregnant, I had to get off the medication and get my body healthy. I was also terrified of getting migraines while pregnant, when you can’t take anything stronger than Tylenol.
To make a long story short — it worked. NO artificial sweeteners, cut WAY down on sugar, no red wine and tons of whole foods. It’s been over 2 years now, and I can tell the difference. I also rarely get sick and w/a small child in daycare, that’s a miracle! Good luck!!!
YES to making a few changes and seeing where that takes you!! Is there nothing worse than making sweeping, radical changes only to collapse in a heap, eating McDonald’s, crying in your french fries, berating yourself for lack of self-control?? 2008 is YOUR year Melissa. I know you will find the path that works for you and your body!
I have been reading your blog for about 2 weeks now. I can’t remember how I found your blog, but I am interested…that’s all I can say. It’s kind of like reading a book and I also LOVE to read! Anyways, about your blog today, I can understand wanting to be healthy. I just had a baby 4 months ago. What about everything in moderation though? I think there can be good qualities in every kind of food. I have found that recently in my rush to get back into my prepregnancy clothes I may be missing some good carbs or good protein. I have to admit that my husband and I farm with beef and dairy cattle, so it could be said that I have a bias opinion. Anyways, just wanted to put that out there. Your girls are adorable and you sound like a fun and great mother.
I love your website! I do not know what is better, the great graphics, or the quick wit….or just knowing another mommy is out there in the same boat! I’m the mother of a driving teen -16-(young mom) and now 21 month old twins (girl/boy). I’m 37, but feel 105. I feel so encouraged by your comments.
Oh, and the vegan thing! My 16 yr old daughter has now been vegan for 6 months. I’m not sure how she stuck with it, but she no longer has all of the aches (esp tummy) that she had since about 7. I thought she was lactose intolerant, but turns out going meatless has been the cure.
I’m hoping to go almost vegan…but I realize I should wait until I have the discipline to not live off french fries! ha!