This post will basically just be my random thoughts in no organized order. (hence the title!!) I'm just gonna be real and share what comes to my head when it comes! I thought doing some of these non traditional blog posts occasionally from now on would be fun. What do you guys think?
Just for a head's up of what I'll be...ranting on? I guess you could call it that. Well, I'm going to be talking about my transition from clean eater (still ate lots of animal products), to trying out a more plant based diet, to wanting a title, to where I am now- TITLE FREE!!!.
So, a few months ago, I had never even looked into eating a plant based diet. I had always eaten meat and had no plans of cutting it out. I began to see more and more about how taking on a more plant based lifestyle could have countless numbers of benefits not only to our health, but to the environment. I began trying to make a few of my meals meatless, but I was overwhelmed with how to do it for a while. The more I did it, the more I loved it. I loved getting creative with the countless varieties of plant based options God has provided to this world. I was also getting to eat more than I ever had. (SCORE!) I probably ate animal products 1-2x daily at this point.
I had struggled with digestive and skin issues for a few years at this point, and was tired of dealing with them. I wanted to take this plant based eating a step further and see if it could possibly heal my problems. (since NOTHING else could...trust me I tried everything) I began to eat mainly plant based having meat/dairy just a few times a week. I incorporated a variety of veggies, fruits, grains, legumes, and nuts into my diet and I was eating lots of them. My energy levels were AMAZING and the stomach issues were getting better. My skin was also beginning to clear up quite a bit! Of course this was exciting and I wanted to know and learn more. Eventually, I found myself really only having animal products on special occasions- maybe 2 times a week! I felt/feel better than I ever had. Almost all of my stomach issues have gone away and my skin is 10000x better, along with my energy levels. Oh and I'm helping the environment!! So, if you were wondering, yes I do promote eating a MORE plant based diet! But for reasons I will get to, I do not encourage putting animal products off limits nor do I think it is unhealthy to have them as a part of your diet occasionally. I think everyone can benefit from eating tons of plant based foods and replacing animal protein with plant protein options the majority of your time. But when your body needs/wants animal foods, go for it!!! (Side note-- I do encourage everyone to pick high quality and humanely raised animal products when possible)
Recently, I watched a few different documentaries, and this made me really want to just call myself 100% plant based vegan. (Forks over Knives & Cowspiracy are the two that influenced me the most- I would highly suggest watching them, but still keep in mind, you don't have to go all or nothing- take this post as an example) The days following this, I was obsessed with picking a title for myself. I went back and forth from "Vegan" to "plant based w/occasional animal products". I couldn't decide what I wanted to do. I felt guilty when I thought I wanted ice cream or eggs. It began to take over my head. I wanted a title so bad for some reason. I put plant based in my bio on Instagram (this has been changed now obvi) and thought I would feel better. Well, I didn't. I still was no better than anyone else without a title and only felt restricted and felt I didn't have a balance anymore by giving myself this title.
I saw a few posts from people who have recently become title free, and really started to evaluate my own life. I prayed about it and came to the decision that I had taken this too far. I don't need a title. Not vegan, not plant based, not plant based with occasion animal products, not dairy free, not ANYTHING!! TITLE FREE. I can still have my values and my opinions without putting a title on them. I can still encourage people to live a more plant based lifestyle without feeling like I have to be all or nothing. I am not any more human by titling the way I eat. I still eat either way. All the title does is give me rules. Which is not balance. I want to feel my best and I want to be happy, and no title can do this for me. Let's not look for our identity in food. (remember- your identity is in God!!! He made you and loves you for you, not for your earthly titles) You are you no matter what so why give yourself rules? Enjoy your life, be happy, and be YOU!!
Bottom line for me- I'm not gonna stop eating tons of plant based foods as the majority of my diet because I love it, I feel good, and I think it's what's best for my body!! (along with environmental factors, how most animals are treated, etc.) I eat tons of nourishing foods and get to fill up my plate with TONS of amazing, colorful varieties. It helps with my stomach (literally rarely have pain now), I have so much energy, and my skin is basically always clear! (yay for no zits) BUTTTTTTT. and that's a big but (if you didn't notice). I will not cut animal foods out or think of them as bad. If I want a fried egg on top of my meal, or want to indulge in a pint of ice-cream after a date night with my boyfriend, then so be it!!!! Our mind is just as much a part of our health, and having a balance is the only way for me to keep a healthy mind and body. I don't need to title this. I eat this way because I love it and it is how I feel my best, but there's no need to title it. Who cares what the title is!!!! It's just how I eat, but there aren't rules on it anymore. There's no need to have any guilt over consuming animal products. In fact, I'm not even saying having some is unhealthy. I just feel better and really only crave them on occasion. So after a long rant, I think you get the point. So here's my new title...I am, ME!!!! Kale, bananas, froyo, and all. Well, that's it. Love you all!!! (p.s. no hate to anyone with a title...I am just sharing why I do not feel having one allows me to have balance in my life)