Shhh! I'm going to tell you a little secret...I am planning my return to a plant based diet. To start my transition back, I will slowly reduce the amount of meat I eat and transition to vegetarian diety with some vegan meals. From those of you who have been following me for a few years, you will remember that I have done the 21 Day Vegan Kickstart and the Lent Fast (meat and dairy free in my religion). For most of 2012, I was eating a vegetarian diet.
When I became pregnant in 2012, I thought long and hard about introducing meat and fish back into my diet. After doing research about the benefits to the growing baby, I decided to eat a small amount of mostly fish and some meat. I bought only organic, grass-fed, pasture raised, or wild caught meat/fish. I introduced some meat and fish into my diet during the middle of the 2nd trimester. Now that my baby is 10 months old, I think it is time for me return. I knew that at some point in the future, I would go back to a vegetarian diet with a splash of vegan. The time is now!
At this point in my life, I concluded that I do not need to meat. Meat and fish do not provide the same satisfaction as they once did. From my previous vegan fasts, I learned that I do enjoy some dairy in my life. I also learned that meat and dairy substitutes are not for me. If I cannot have real whole milk and real raw cheese, then I will just go without (or eat a small amount). I will minimize the amount of dairy I consume to continue to enjoy the foods I enjoy, but also reduce my impact on the environment and on my body.
The beans and grains have been replenished. The Spring and Summer Farmers Markets are just around the corner. Ladies and gentleman, I am pulling out my meat-free recipes!
P.S. Maybe I need to stop (or continue) reading books about plant-based diets. Or maybe it is the universe's little way to guide me in the right direction for my life. :)
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