I feel like every woman has an idea for their perfect love story. You know, the all-consuming kind of love that Nicholas Sparks writes about in most of his books. In my late teens and early 20's, I experienced my perfect love story. It was the “study abroad in a foreign land, meet the most beautiful man with a sexy accent, and fall head over heels (in lust)” kind of story. But what I also experienced, was a bipolar relationship where the highs were high and the lows were low. It was the type of relationship where we equally brought the worst out in each other, becoming an emotional, mental, and sometimes physically abusive, relationship.
I reached the lowest point I'd ever been, contemplating suicide, as I had no idea how to pick up the pieces. And naturally, as the relationship unraveled, I gained weight. When the relationship officially ended, I gained even more weight. I reached the heaviest I had ever been, and although it wasn't technically considered obese, I was overweight and unhealthy in all senses of the word. So I went on a diet and I dieted the only way I knew how: frozen Lean Cuisines and Weight Watchers sponsored snacks, with a 30 min "work out" at the gym a couple times a week where I gave little effort. Yes, I lost some weight, but I didn't lose much. I'm pretty sure if I had stopped "dieting" and picked up my old habits again, the weight would have come back on. But then I learned about two things: (1) All of the artificial ingredients and additives in most processed foods and (2) The power of a plant-based diet.
I immediately eliminated all food with high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes (red 40, blue 1, etc.), hydrogenated oils, and all products with ingredients that I couldn’t pronounce. I discovered how to use natural (unprocessed) whole foods in my cooking and how different fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes can be used to make dishes that I loved. I learned that I didn't have to eat animal products which are high in fat, cholesterol, and added chemicals/antibiotics, but can instead get all the necessary vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein solely from plant based foods. Beans, nuts, vegetables, whole grains, fruits...the possibilities were endless! So I began to learn new cooking and baking substitutions and after a couple weeks, I didn’t miss the “food” I used to eat. I could make cheese from nuts, burgers from beans, Alfredo sauce from cauliflower and chocolate mousse from avocado! And as an added bonus to my new discoveries, the weight started falling off and I felt better than I ever had in my life! When I started to look and feel better physically, I began to feel better mentally. Piece by piece, my life was coming back together again. I met my husband, backpacked around the world, got married, moved across country….
…And then I got pregnant. I maintained a vegan diet through my pregnancy, which ultimately helped me to deliver a healthy baby girl and quickly lose the majority of the weight I had gained during my pregnancy. But as anyone who has given birth would know, your body undergoes so many changes and things don't go back to “normal” right away. I had about seven stubborn pounds that wouldn't budge, despite my healthy diet and frequent workouts, and the skin on my stomach wasn't as tight as it had been before. I decided to try the Beachbody 21 Day Fix Extreme and pushed myself through two rounds. The program is exactly what I needed to kick those last few pounds and get my old body back.
Now through my plant-based diet and occasional workouts, I have been able to maintain a healthy body on the inside and out. But for me, its not just about having a physically healthy body. My mental and emotional health is just as important because I never want to experience lows again like I have in the past. When I think back to the person I was in my early 20's, while in that abusive relationship, I am no where near the same today. The power that a plant-based diet has had on my mental well-being has been my biggest achievement.
Blog Name: A Plant Based Soul
Bio: Full-time Mom and Vegan B&B owner by day, plant-based recipe developer by night (and during nap time, of course!). Going vegan was the greatest choice I have ever made, not only for myself, but for all living things as well. My recipes are inspired by old-time favorites, incorporating new flavor combinations whenever possible. I hope you find my recipes to be not only delicious, but a reflection of the pride and joy I have in living a sustainable lifestyle.
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