Christmas shopping

I am wrapping and sending presents to my kids in Virginia and Stonewall, Texas.  So much fun to make and send homemade gifts this year.  I have been very busy making gifts for grandchildren and greats.  In fact, I need to go sew some last minute items now. 

I am having a hard time with the vegetarian diet when I go out.  Last week at Tuesday lunch our group had hot dogs, chili, and salad with ham in it.  Thursday it was more meat so I only had bread and desert to eat.  I guess I will start taking my lunch to our groups.

More interesting books

I am reading Breaking the Food Seduction by Neal Barnard, MD and Food over Medicine by Pamela A. Popper, PhD, ND.  Both are worth reading and I feel like I am being informed about a lot of vegetarian choices.  I have no desire to ever go back to eating meat, cheese or dairy products of any kind.  I feel better with my vegetables, whole grains, beans, and fruit.  Try it, you'll like it.

There is so much information about how the dairy and meat produces, i.e.. corporate farmers, through their groups influence the research that says meat and dairy are good for us and the government goes along and promotes this nonsense.  These corporations pour millions of dollars into research. to legislators pockets, and to government agencies to have their products appear safe and good for people.

The China Study and simular books

I am reading the China Study by T. Colin Campbell and finding more evidence for a vegetarian lifestyle.  Lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, freedom from disease such as heart attack, cancer and diabetes.  Also it helps the planet to reduce our consumption of meat as the same acreage that produces a cow for meat can produce so much more delicious veggies to eat.  My biggest problem still is sweets and pasta. 

I also just finished reading Vegan for Her another vegetarian book.  I have problems with feeding other people in a vegetarian way so I find myself drawn into eating in wrong ways.  For instance, I am having a birthday party for my husband today and they menu includes so many foods that I don't normally eat, but I am willing to feed them to my family and friends.

Eating right

I vacillate between eating right and going off.  I have no problem with not eating meat, cheese and milk, but I have such a hard time with sweets, I love sweets, I crave sweets.  I could eat lots of candy, cake, pie and cookies everyday if I let myself.  If I can conquer my sweets addiction, I will be okay.

Sept 11, 2000

That's right, 2000 not 2001.  On September 11, 2000, I had a hemorrhagic stoke and survived.  I spent 60 days in the hospital and a rehab hospital.  The thinking was that I would either die or get better. I was paralyzed on my left side.  Eventually, I could move my left leg and a week or so later I could move may left arm.  I had to learn to walk again.  I am so grateful to have survived and I am able to do almost everything I could before.  So on 9-11 I have a different memory than most people..

Re-started

I went off my vegan lifestyle for a while, but I am back now and really enjoying it.  Along with a diet of veggies and fruit I eat no white flour, sugar or oils.  I have already lost 4 lbs. in a week.  My husband has joined me in this effort to eat a better way and he is doing fine, he just says "Where's the beef" once in a while and I say "It is in the pasture and will stay there."