I'm doing laundry and have discovered some colorful size six panties. I believe they either belong to my eldest daughter, George or one of her college friends that have came and stayed for a while. In either case, they have been nicely laundered and put aside for my daughter to decide if they are hers or her friends. I usually have this same problem between my younger daughter, Marion and George when it comes to shirts and stuff they are close in size and when the older one gives the younger one a shirt I get confused. I put the under wear into a pile and go on with my merry business; laundry, cleaning and so forth. Hey, that's what mom's do; work.
This particular day my brother Jason is visiting. He always brings me the latest gossip from his work or his friends and of course he is just a hoot when he tells us one of his stories. He manages to make me laugh no matter how bad a situation is and believe me I have had some pretty low moments in my life. Today's visit however, would have me being the funny one. As soon as George comes home from school, (she commutes back and forth from college) I tell her I think I have her panties or one of her friends and that I have placed them in a pile for her to go over and sort. She quickly picks up the panties and frowns informing me that these panties are not hers or her friends, but mine! Now you're asking; how can you get your own panties confused with everybody else's? Well it's easy in my case. You see, I bought new panties the other day. I normally get the plain white ones with the extra panel in front (due to giving birth to ten pound babies I had to have that little extra support down there), but since my weight loss I thought a little color was in order and no more front panels anymore. My brother is laughing when I have realized that the panties I have threatened to burn if nobody claims them are actually mine.
Now how did I get to this place in my life where I'm buying smaller and more colorful underwear has been under fire from my family and friends and yes, acquaintances. But I have made my choice and felt today, I should explain my reason. Perhaps some of you will understand after you read this blog and stop and think of what I'm saying.
I have been asked by so many, what are you taking? You have lost a lot of weight and I want whatever it is you are taking. My polite answer is I'm not taking anything. I just found myself. Nobody believes you when you say that which is odd. Don't you think you can loose weight after finding yourself? Then I reveal that I'm vegetarian. Suddenly like a dramatic soap opera, oh that's dangerous or are you crazy you have to have meat, you need protein and iron. Boy here it comes. Some go on to say, no you aren't, I saw you eat hamburgers in the past. Yes, I did and now I don't. I wish I could say I just woke up one day and decided to become a vegetarian, but the truth in the matter is, it happened from a trip to
After my husband died, I did what most parents do when left to pick up the pieces of a once happy home; I put all my energy into my kids. They needed me right now and I wasn't going to tank up on drugs to get through the day to do it. Even though several people commented on the fact I was walking the tight rope without a safety net in doing so. I made the choice to have a clear head to take care of my kids. I was going to pick myself up and put them first, which I did. Unfortunately I sort of lost who I was when I did that. At least that is what I thought. But after taking some time to examine my life in general, I found I have always put everybody ahead of me and yes, lost a little bit of me each time.
While I was in
Now after meeting Mr. Benedict and reading his book Confessions of a Kamikaze Cowboy in one night, and re-reading it on the way back home to
No diet pills, no meat, no sugar, and no caffeine, just pure veggies and fruit. Yes, I have learned a few things about whole grains, brown rice, green teas, miso soup, beans, oatmeal, flax, and humus. Things, I was told was awful tasting wasn't bad at all. Sure there are some foods I'm not fond of but isn't that the way it is with any food? Now, not to say I still have a weakness for the occasional drink especially on vacation. But I follow my new eating habits. I made the choice to change my life so I could be a better mother, sister, cousin, friend and human being in general. Some have not liked the new changes I have put forth and have lashed out in ways you couldn't have fathomed. But that's okay. I have had great support from the ones who have supported my choice, especially my children and understand why I made a choice.
We all have to find ourselves eventually even after we have lost ourselves slowly over time. Eventually you will have to make a choice and discover yourself. So, when I look at the new panties I bought and know I have went from a size twelve jean down to a size eight. My tee shirts are mediums instead of extra large all because I found myself. I say screw those who criticize who I am. At least I'm not having the headaches anymore, heartburn episodes, insomnia, severe monthly cramps and acne problems. I have also noticed my allergies and sinus haven't been acting up and this season I haven't had a cold not even the crude that plagued the town. As my sister in law Paula said, "You eat healthy, no wonder you haven't got sick." I use to have to take Tylenol on a regular basis for of my legs. In the past few months I haven't taken anything for it because it no longer bothers me.
I always tell people; just because this type of lifestyle is for me, doesn't mean it's for you. But for me this type of life style works. I know some of you are asking what about your children? Surely you aren't making them do this. Even though my children have supported me and yes, they do eat some of the foods I have prepared, doesn't mean I have forced the poor things into my journey. They have also, along the way, have discovered a new taste for foods they didn't know existed and in the process finding themselves as well. My son, Stanton and his sister, Marion still eat meat and sugar, but not as much, as they too have slowly changed their eating habits. My eldest, George has adapted this life style and thoroughly enjoys the new found peace she has in her life.
Now that I have explained myself it's time to let those of you who think you know how dangerous being a vegetarian or macrobiotic diet isn't. It doesn't cause, blindness, sexual problems, acne, PMS, fertility problems, growth stunts, smaller boobs, arthritis, memory loss, dry skin, tooth decay or hair loss. I do get enough protein contrary to belief. I have energy, healthy energy and I won't be crashing after a little unlike you all who have to have the sugary Dr. Pepper or that third candy bar you are poking down your mouth. I have done without caffeine drinks that give you the jitters or headache after you have drank it or gives you that same pickup as the drink and candy I mentioned above. A good vegetarian is not pale and pasty believe it or not. I know I have seen some too, that look like that. But you have to remember, those are the ones that have not truly found themselves. Until then they won't be healthy inside or out.
According to statistics most American's will be severely obese and diabetic in the near future. With high blood pressure not going down and cancer not backing down either, don't you think fast foods, meat and sugar play a major factor in all of this? If you have it in your family history, listen up time to take control. Now, I'm not saying that becoming a vegetarian is going to make me disease free, but it sure will cut down my risk. Lots of veggies and fruits are more beneficial than you realize and if you don't believe me, you need to go back to health class.
So don't be so quick to judge a vegetarian or a macrobiotic. I don't say anything when you are chewing down on the big, medium rare done,
As I said earlier I had to learn to find myself in order to change my whole being. Several factors play a part to make one whole thing: whole. I didn't become a vegetarian to loose weight; I became a vegetarian to help me become who I am now. It would be nice when the doctors put you on a low cholesterol diet or sugar free diet they would explain this to you. You have to change everything not just your diet. Some do tell you this, but for the most part they don't. If loosing weight is one of the side effects, oh well that means I'm getting healthy all around.
Hello, my name is Carla and I'm a vegetarian.
Good for you, Miss Carla! I have been doing a similar "detox" of unhealthy elements in my own....my process began over 4 years ago, but only recently was it on fast-forward. The result is, like yours, a healthier and happier me. I'm applauding you here from Southern California!!!
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