My co-worker asked me today, do I want any candy from her Easter basket? Saying no thanks, she insisted. “I don’t mean to sound like a candy snob, I said but I don’t eat any of that”.
I used to devour peeps but after I became vegan and lost weight, I look at candy and white sugar like it’s the plague. Not interested anymore. She asked me “did I used to be heavy”. I told her how after having a child, I was too busy with the baby and stopped cooking, stopped exercising, ate out at fast food restaurants a lot, and gained weight.
After I changed all of my food to whole food and vegan, I no longer craved or have any desire for candy. I chew double bubble gum for any sweet tooth cravings I have. Then Brush-Floss-Brush at night. I have my daughter do the same whenever she chews gum.
There’s never candy or sweets in our house by choice. When my daughter wants sweet she adds some Blue Agave into her oatmeal. That’s night and day compared to 5 years ago and beyond when I lived pretty much on pepperoni pizza, ice cream, white coconut cake and sweetened raspberry iced tea with some broccoli and lots of cheese everyday. Now, I’m glad to say traditional pizza and junk food have no appeal to me.
In addition, the thought of the animals and the pain and suffering they endured to become food is sad and gross at the same time. I read the book “Skinny Bitch” which changed my life forever after which I watched the docu-movie Earthlings narrated by Joaquin Phoenix on YouTube and saw how cows and pigs are slaughtered. It’s horrific. The week leading-up to Easter I saw people buying ham at the grocery store and all I could see in my head were the images of the pigs. That’s their choice…I was once one of them. I don’t judge them.
People are becoming more aware thanks to documentaries such as Forks over Knives. Everyday I hear people talking about healthier vegetarian choices. There’s a new trend with the traditional grocery stores promoting healthier choices. I am so thankful I discovered the vegan lifestyle. It has opened my eyes and it is keeping me and my daughter very healthy. For the animals’ sake, I wish consumers would start choosing vegan foods at a faster pace. The health and weight loss benefits alone are remarkable.
Switching gears, here’s an easy, fast Cauliflower Soup recipe I adapted from watching a Good Morning America cooking segment last month…Cutting out the oil and butter – saute shallots with water only.
WATER SAUTEED CAULIFLOWER, SHALLOTS, & LEEKS
Ingredients
Cauliflower Shallots LeeksSaute chopped Shallots and chopped Leeks in shallow water on high heat for 4 minutes stirring frequently.
Pour the shallots, leeks, and any remaining water into a large pot filled with chopped Cauliflower; fill with water to cover the cauliflower.
Place a lid over half of the pot and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes.
Dash of Sea Salt optional.
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Tidbit: During a recent visit, my doctor enthusiastically said to me, “You have lower cholesterol than I do!” and he’s a decade younger than me. I’ve also had conversations with people especially men whose cholesterol numbers lowered significantly when they completely cut out dairy from their diet. At a conference, I met a man in his 40’s who once had stage 4 Prostate Cancer…after adopting a vegan diet he said his prostate cancer quickly dissolved.
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Feature image courtesy of Flickr’s The Commons