Magic of Believing

Don't Say the "F" Word.

There are just certain things that you don't talk about.  Religion, Politics, and especially.... Food.   It seems that everyone has an opinion when it comes to food.  Eat this, don't eat that, and for Pete's sake, you have to eat your meat!  You may have voted for the other guy, or belong to a different church, but that's ok, people will usually forgive you.  I mean, hey - we're all different - right?  But oh my God, tell someone you're a vegetarian and watch the sparks fly. 

I know.  I became a vegetarian almost a year ago.  My friends thought it was funny at first.  But after awhile, when they saw I was serious about sticking to it, they became concerned.  It's really kinda funny, and ironic in a way.  They are genuinely concerned about my health, usually my protein intake, and at the same time they are munching on a Carl's Jr $6 dollar gutbuster and fries. 

Uh guys - you're worried about MY health?

So why Vegetarian.  Why No Meat.  

The American Dietetic Association states that Vegetarians:

• have lower rates of death from heart disease
• have lower blood cholesterol levels
• have lower blood pressure
• have lower rates of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and prostate and colon cancer
• are less likely than meat-eaters to be obese
• are 50 percent less likely to develop heart disease
• have a 40 percent lower cancer rate than that of meat-eaters
• meat-eaters are nine times more likely to be obese than vegans are
• have stronger immune systems
• are less susceptible to everyday illnesses like the flu
• and that we live, on average, six to 10 years longer than meat-eaters

The consumption of meat, eggs, and dairy products has also been strongly linked to osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, asthma, and male impotence. 

Enough reasons?  I haven't even discussed the fact that the majority of meat you buy in the supermarket is factory farmed.  This isn't grandpa's farm we're talking about here with chickens running around the courtyard.  This is mass production.  Look up factory farms on YouTube.  What you see will shock you.  These poor animals are literally tortured.  They live in very unhealthy environments, usually with no space to even move around, never seeing the light of day, eating a diet of corn, antibiotics, and artificial growth stimulants.  They are bred for one single purpose.  To grow as quickly and as cheaply as they can - so you can eat it.  Mmmm.

My co-workers and I had a discussion about this last week.  I said, "How old do you think that chicken was, that you ate for dinner last night? "  Their answer was 1-2 years?  Not even close.  In today's factory farms, a broiler chicken is raised from baby chick to slaughter weight in just 39 days.   The average life expectancy of a chicken today is just 6 weeks.  They grow so fast and so heavy, many of them cannot even stand up.  They're not even called chickens anymore, they are now 'units'.  A sellable product,  just for you.

Another question I get asked often is:

So What's Difference Between a Vegetarian and a Vegan?

Today there are just too many categories of Vegetarians to list them all.  Some eat Dairy, some eat Eggs, some eat Fish, some eat just Fruits, and some even have an occaisonal piece of chicken or steak.   But Vegans are at the opposite side of the scale, they make it simple.  They eat no animal products at all - period.  

And there's a new trend that is rapidly growing amongst the larger cities.  Raw Vegans.  Raw Foodists as they are sometimes called are basically the same as Vegans - only they don't cook their food.  Cooking your food above a temperature of 118 deg F kills the enzymes.  They are no longer considered a 'live' food.  It's dead, like that piece of meat you just ate.  Raw Foodists, or Live Foodists, only eat foods that are still alive and full of energy.  Their staples are: 

• Raw vegetables
• Raw fruits
• Raw nuts
• and raw seeds

Also, nuts and seeds are soaked in water, to activate the enzymes to begin sprouting.  Once a seed or nut begins to sprout, it truly is a 'live' food. 

So You've Been Doing This For a Year Now - How Are You Doing?

I've been 'dieting' if you want to call it that for several years now.  When I ran my own business, and had easy access to all the fast food restaurants around me, I balooned to over 225lbs.  I felt terrible and was tired all the time.  The pepsi machine inside my store was my own personal supply of energy drinks - just to make it through the day. 

I knew I had to do something, so I started the Atkin's diet.  I initially lost some weight, but knew that it just wasn't sustainable long term.  So after seeing an article on the Internet, I decided to give Vegetarianism a try - just for 30 days.   Looking back, I'm sure I went about it completely wrong - but regardless - at the end of 30 days I still noticed a big change.  I felt so much better! 

Sadly, for whatever reason, after the 30 day trial, (maybe I just wasn't disciplined enough at the time) I soon found myself back to eating my old, comfortable, standard american diet, and guess what.  The weight started to come back.  

So January 1, 2009 I told my wife I'm going veggie again - permanently.  And I did.  And I haven't looked back.  Yes, I have cheated.  But the thing to realize, is that this is not a 'diet' to me.  This is a permanent lifestyle change, and it does take time.  So never, ever, feel guilty if you have a setback.  It's going to happen. And when it does, just start again the next day.

So as far as how I'm doing, one year later, here are some numbers..

• Before
  • Weight 225lbs
  • Body Mass Index - 31.4 (I was technically obese - anything over 30.0)
  • Blood Pressure - 152/97 
  • Waist - 36/38
• Yesterday
  • Weight 183.5lbs
  • Body Mass Index - 25.5 (normal is 18.5 to 24.9)
  • Blood Pressure - 122/79
  • Waist - 34/36

As you can see I've lost over 40 pounds.  My blood pressure is normal, and my BMI is approaching the 'normal' range.

Just this week I have been adding some elements of the Raw Food Diet into my normal routine.  I've replaced my usual breakfast of toast and butter with a green smoothie made from fresh spinach, celery, an apple, and a banana.  And I've been sticking to a raw salad for lunch.  I guess I would be considered 66% raw.  Just in 4 days I've noticed my energy level has more than doubled. 

I think ultimately, I'm going to end up a 100% Raw Vegan.

Some of you might say that this is extreme.  Maybe.  But ask Mimi Kirk, the lady in the video up above.  She's been a vegetarian for over 40 years, and a Raw Vegan for the last year and a half.  She just won PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian Over 50 Award.  Did you watch the part where she says she was born in 1938?  That's right.

She's 71 years old!

While you're looking up Mimi on Google, go ahead and also look up Lillian Muller, the 57 yr old ex-playboy model, or Tom Hairabedian, the 87yr old olympic diver.  All Raw Vegans.  All looking at least 20 years younger than they actually are.  

Now.  Go eat your vegetables.