During the aftermath of Hurricane
Sandy, I spent an evening in the library basking in all the electricity. I
started looking in the cooking section, looking forward to when the power comes
back and I can cook a tasty new meal for my family. I came across Alicia
Silverstone’s book “The Kind Diet”. I remember seeing her on Oprah years ago
and was always interested in her ideology. I finished it a couple of days ago.
Now I’m prepared and excited to flirt my way into a kind lifestyle.
About to dig into a Haggis Shepherd's Pie in Edinburgh, Scotland
I am the polar opposite of a picky
eater and will try just about anything. I've eaten everything from kangaroo
(soo delicious), ostrich and quail to alligator, frog legs and sea urchin. In
Scotland I devoured Haggis (sheep heart liver and lungs), in Austria I enjoyed
pig’s knuckle and when in Paris I snacked on escargot. When actually saying it
out loud, it seems a bit gruesome but it was normal foods in different cultures
around the world.
Excited for my first Escargot experience in Paris, France
I’m the one of the group who orders
the chef’s special and rarely order the same thing twice. I love to try
something I've never had or ever even heard of before. The more flavor in the
dish the better in my book. That is why when I was in Australia this past
spring; I was surprised to notice myself eating barely any meat.
Smiling with my Kangaroo Burger in Sydney, Australia
In Australia I was backpacking on a
budget and not paying much attention to my health. In general, Australians eat
way less meat than we do in America. The more I paid attention to my food choices;
I noticed if I had a choice between a meat and vegetarian dish, the meat was
rarely winning. I was barley sleeping, eating whatever I felt like and drinking
way too much “Goon” (boxed wine). I was not taking care of myself but I had
heaps of energy. How was this possible? Maybe it was my diet. Maybe it was the
fresh Australian air. I’ll never know for sure until I test it out for real. As
I was reading “The Kind Diet”, I was taking note of how I have already unintentionally
participated in the beginning steps of this life style and it doesn't seem that
intimidating. It actually was exciting. Maybe I can do this and live like this.
If I cut out meat and maybe beyond, what’s the worst that could happen??
Goon, Goon and more Goon in Byron Bay, Australia
I decided last week that today was
going to be my last day eating meat and am mentally well prepared. I was
forcing myself to eat meat all day long to get my last kicks in. I took a trip
to Trader Joe’s and was prepared to search out some vegetarian meals so I don’t
make a big disturbance at dinner time. I was overwhelmed with the choices for
vegetarian and even vegan diets. All kinds of flavors and exciting ingredients that I've never heard of before. This seems way to fun and easy already. I dragged my mom
and sister to Outback Steakhouse for my last carnivore meal. I split a 12 oz
prime rib and giant burger with my mom.
I felt like I was forcing myself to enjoy every bite but I wasn't really
enjoying it as much as I thought I would. After really listening to where that meat came from and what it does to me, my animal friends and the planet, maybe my subconsciousness was rejecting something I would usually drool over. It was like I was ready to be done
with the meat gorging already.
Forcing a smile because I'm so full already at my last meaty meal at Outback in Commack, New York
Finally I got on the scale right
before finishing writing this and I was appalled by the number that was looking
up at me. I know I've been feeling a little extra beefy lately, but I didn't realize just how beefy I actually have gotten. Maybe I will reveal that number
when I’m feeling a little more kind toward myself. I’m going to be paying extra
close attention to my body and what it’s trying to tell me during this new
journey. My friends and family all think this is another crazy idea of mine and
it will be short lived. If this kind of lifestyle really gives you energy and
make you feel wonderful like Alicia says, then oh boy watch out world!
Goodnight meat.
I'm a huge animal lover and want to stop eating meat for more than my health!
Cheers to you, Mr. Kangaroo ;)
Brisbane, Australia
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