Like so many others, I have experienced some bad digestive issues. Not sure if that is TMI but it is an important part of this story. On January 1st, 2021 I decided that I needed to make changes to my life.
I got a cookbook by Earthy Andy called Plant Over Processes and immediately went to the store to get a bunch of food….not processed food, but whole foods. Luckily I have always loved vegetables, fruits and greens. I didn’t stress about becoming a “vegan” because that is not what being plant based means to me.
I will have chicken once in a while, maybe cake at my sister’s birthday, and I wont worry. The goal for this LIFESTYLE is to get plant based, and choose whole foods over processed. I didn’t want to stress about a diet or something as strict as being a vegan. I wanted to still enjoy food but also focus on what would make my stomach feel better.
After about a month and a half month of eating plant based foods I feel so much better. While I think “healing” my digestive system will take longer, I feel better now when I eat. I have more energy, I feel healthier and it has been a much-needed lifestyle change. Taking time to make food, create new recipes, share my meals on my food instagram (@eatingwtali) and focusing on myself more has helped me become a more positive person in 2021.
While I am still in the beginning of this journey, choosing plants over processed foods has made me more mindful when choosing what to eat or snack on. Baking and cooking has been a great outlet as well. Something my family is enjoying too, especially the chickpea cookies!
I am careful not to make these eating habits “addictive” — I am doing this for myself, for fun, for my body. I don’t want the pressure to eat like this every second of every day, but I am focusing on making good plant based choices as much as I can.
I recommend this lifestyle. Try and choose whole foods over processed if you can — but don’t be too strict, enjoy!