When I start something new, I search for helpful information everywhere. Just as I was saying to myself, “Ok, I am going to try to stick to my Challenge for 30 days because the 60 days sounds like too much”, I found Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy You Program, which started this past Monday. (Day 24 for me.)
Her Crazy Sexy Cancer (book and film) began as she battled her cancer and found plant-based eating and other adjunctive activities led her to living a healthier life. You can go to her site here for more information.
I tried her program earlier, right after my 2nd bout with cancer. Well, I decided to re-up because it helped me focus on what was important. The Program runs from June 25 to July 16. That moves me up to 45 days, so I might as well go for my full 60 days.
Edward looked in the fridge after I had gotten my resources for the next three weeks and asked, “What is here to eat?” Well, admittedly it isn’t ready yet. He is such a trooper to go along with this plant-based adventure. But that’s what keeps life interesting – new adventures (Big and Small).
The Why
I’m doing this Challenge mainly for my health, then the animals and third the environment. I need to bring my weight down because being overweight increases my chances of a reoccurrence of breast cancer. So, I’ve got to do what I need to do! After all, I’ve had it TWICE already!
Although I did not include it in my blog challenge I wanted to try a vegan lifestyle. (I still have trouble with omitting oils??? I have given up my last cheese holdout – goat cheese. Specifically Midnight moon Cypress something. I could just eat it all by itself.)
Kris Carr’s program includes not eating bread, except 100% whole grain bread. I am not so much a fan of bread, unless folks put it on my table. (That table bread is the wrong kind, I know.) I will prepare most of my meals, since they are relatively easy. In fact, once a day a snack or meal is a green drink. I think I’ll be good! I stocked the pantry and fridge on Friday.
Animals and People
Listening to The Happy Vegan by Russell Simmons and the Ageless Vegan by Tracye and Mary McQuirter really solidified my living this way. After hearing Simmons description of what happens when the cows and their calves are separated (trauma and stress for any animal – cows, chickens, pigs, etc.) what they go through, have injected into them, what occurs in slaughter houses and how stress hormones work, I am redoubling my efforts to live a more cruelty-free life.
When animals are separated from their offspring, I can’t help but think of parental separation from their children (slaves, Native Americans, immigrants, etc.). All of this and more illustrates how the institutionalization of these practices makes us numb to our participation/sanction of these acts.
Problems
When I mess up, I tried not to beat myself up too much. There’s so much going on. Getting stuff done in the yard and taking care of things around the house. Sometimes I lost focus and then that one little thing that I messed up really makes things fall apart. But, if I had taken care of all the other things, then that one little mess up isn’t such a big deal. That’s how I am able to move on.
I was not doing well with the part about cutting out electronics before I went to bed. I also seem to have problems with the seven hours of sleeping. So I shifted back to concentrating more on what I ate and putting the electronics away early. If I divorced myself from the electronics sooner, I knew I’d sleep deeper and receive more benefits. Maybe I just don’t know how to chill!
Helpful Hints
I need to look at my blog challenges daily and make sure I have reminders. So I posted the challenge items on the mirror in the bedroom, on my desk, by the TV in the kitchen and anywhere I might see them. I need them to be there as a reminder of what I said I would do. I could easily say, “I forgot that was one of the challenges.” (You know, it’s easy to let ourselves off the hook.) But this way I couldn’t.
What Counts?
I didn’t mentioned the 10,000 steps 3 times a week or exercising daily or sticking to my morning routine. Those are lifestyle changes I eased into. So I am up in the mornings trying to make sure I get outside early for a walk. I put my things out at night, so I am ready to go after popping out of bed and brushing my teeth.
“My mind is constantly going. For me to completely relax, I gotta get rid of my cell phone.” – Kenny Chesney
Dr. Harriette
My sister-in-law is on the plant based diet. The motivation was to lesson the risk of having a subsequent heart attack. That was all she needed and she’s been with it for 2 years now.
Great! Thanks for your comments. I applaud her sticking to it! I am doing well on it, except when I get lazy and hungry and have nothing to eat while out. I will have to get snacks to take with me.