Sometimes we eat the wrong things by whims, because it tastes good. It took me two years to conquer my carnivorous appetite and more than 25 years to give up dairy-- the ingredient of so many tasty foods. It was not easy, but once the habit of eating a no flesh diet manifested benefits immediately, such as more energy and a stronger immune system. I rarely get colds (if I do it will usually last only 3 days) and I don’t get headaches. I was 13 years old when I was diagnosed with lymphedema praecox or Meige disease. Before eating vegetarian, the degree of swelling that would occur daily in my ankle was very uncomfortable, and at times debilitating. Vegetarian eating has decreased the amount of swelling I experience and has allowed me to manage this condition that I have live with for more than 37 years. This benefit was a surprise, as I had no Idea, at the time of my decision to become vegetarian, that my health would be affected so greatly.
Now I am vegan. Before I began this journey toward vegan eating, I was aware of the benefits it would have in managing yet another chronic condition (shoulder impingement). It is the body that pays the price of a poor diet. Maybe you already appreciate the importance of eating whole foods – bravi! But if you have not begun your own journey towards improving your eating habits to build health and well-being, whatever your intention may be in this regard, I hope my words will help you to consider it.
One thing is for sure: ours is an enormously stressful society. The best benefit of this way of eating for me is a particular serenity (that has been tested greatly since enrolling in grad school). This benefit is worth all the brioche in France or any amount of macaroni & cheese at Sylvia’s. I don’t intend to give it up.
Namaste ("The light within me honors the light within you.”)
