The Only Thing Constant is Change

So much to say, and I do not know where to start...

I think I will save the deep thoughts for my next post and just say that, once again, I have changed my name and URL (I am so indecisive, aren't I?). This blog is now just a blog for me to write about me...I guess that is the point of most blogs huh? No specific theme of veganism, or sobriety, or saving the world, although I will probably ramble about all of the above.

My hope is to actually keep this blogging thing up for once because I do find some enjoyment from it and hope you (yes, YOU) find some enjoyment reading it.

Until next time...

Tread Lightly

New Blog Title, URL, and look!

I decided that although I have been saying the phrase "Y.O.L.O" for a lot longer than all the "cool kids" who say it now, it was time to change some things around. I still believe the purpose of my blog is to prove you only live once, and why not make the best of it (and feel your best while do it!)

However, going back to my very first post, I remember making a statement regarding our (us, as humans) footprint on this plant and how it should be considered to do what you can to lighten it. That thought was the basis for the new blog title and URL. I believe being a vegetarian/vegan plays a part in my effort, and my continuing strides to lessen plastic in our household and  refraining from buying chemical household products helps as well! If I can find other ways to lessen my footprint on this earth, during my time on it, I will try and attempt to follow through on them.

This is a "short and sweet" entry and would like to end it with a quote that was inside a card I was given for my birthday. Pictured on the front is a copy on an oil painting of manatees (endangered) and although the quote regarding these creatures, it spoke to me on a general, and more personal level. And by sharing it, I hope it speaks to you as well...

"I hope that our efforts at saving the docile manatee species are successful. To lose them forever because of mankind's selfishness and impatience would be a loss beyond measure. In my life, in my relationships with others, as well as with my planet, I must constantly remind myself to slow down, look and listen, live life more simply and appreciate all the blessings (even if they don't look like blessings on the outside) that have been given to me. Else I know I will find myself at the end of my life with an emptiness that is too late to fill and with a planet on which my children will never see such incredible and entertaining, albeit strange creatures as the manatee."

-From the diary of Thomas J. Edwards

Yes, I Am A Vegetarian...And No, I Do Not Only Eat Vegetables!

A common assumption, right? Especially when you state, "I am vegan"...then the whole world crumbles down!

That last part was obviously an exaggeration however, there are times that I have received rather dramatic, and negative reactions to my dietary preference. I chose to be diplomatic with my responses for awhile but it has come to a point to where I have to be that vegetarian/vegan who goes to lengths of explaining the gruesome (to me) details of slaughter houses and the unseen dairy industry. I don't want to be that way. I just want to eat the way I feel most comfortable and be respected for that...is that too much to ask? And in all honesty, why does it really matter what I eat anyways? 

Because I have been asked a lot if all I can eat is salad (which, it wouldn't hurt people to eat a little more salad in their diets - just sayin'), I wanted to share what I ate when we went out for my birthday last week.

Pre-Birthday dinner included vegetarian sushi from a great, local place named Saina Japanese. If I could eat there everyday, I would! The ingredients are always fresh and even though it is slow service, it is worth the wait. I even converted a non-sushi lover into enjoying this restaurant! 

Lunch on my actual birthday was spent at Source in San Francisco. We started with their buffalo bites (which were amazing) and I ordered the burger with fries and  my husband ordered the grilled veggie pizza. Unfortunately, I was not too thrilled with our entrees (sorry Jenny!!) but not because it was "rabbit food"; only because the particular dishes could have used more seasoning (a little salt and pepper goes a long way).

Every item pictured is "vegan". And nothing looks like a plain old salad! 

I am happy my decision to consume little to no animal products and I definitely do not care that other people choose to eat meat. That's their choice to make! All I would like is for those people to respect my decision as I respect theirs. I do not need to make comments or jokes in regards to your food choices every time you eat a cheeseburger, so please show the same refrainment when you see me eating a salad!

Short and Sweet...and Sober

I wanted to compose a "short and sweet" post since it has been awhile. So much has happened  to me and around me within the last 60 days that I am truly convinced that 2014 was set to be my challenge year! But, that's okay, I am up for a challenge...

What I wanted to post was an alcohol substitution chart for cooking that I came across while browsing the, always awesome, Pinterest. I found it useful since most of the time I do not want to go buy a whole bottle of sherry to attempt a new recipe and this offers ideas of what to put in the alcohols place without losing flavor.

I know this imagine isn't easy to ready so, here is the link: Sober Julie's Alcohol Substitution Chart.

There are a few good reasons why I am cutting alcohol out of my life, overall, it seems to fit the motto of this blog: You only live once, so why not feel your best while living it.

Derailed...

I will just cut to the chase...pretty much the entire month of January I threw every resolution I had right out the window! Some consciously and some subconsciously. For those who know me on a personal level, you probably have a good idea to what drove me to "binge" like I did. I even appropriately named that time, "Junk-Fest January". Not only did I start feeling like completely garbage (because, let's face it, that's pretty much what I was eating) but I noticed the progress I had in my weight loss was quickly diminishing.

Yep, I ordered pizza...just for me (hubby was working)

Really?!? Who needs this many chips...well, one is popcorn but still!!!

I knew when I had ordered a large pizza with cheesy garlic bread all to myself that there could be a deeper issue to all this face-stuffing. I am not one to deny that I tend to turn to food for emotional support but, during this "Junk-Fest January" I realized that this wasn't okay and the habit truly needed to be broken. Because I knew this was an issue of mine, and have tried other methods in the past to help the problem, I knew attacking the issue on my own wasn't going to work.

After multiple conversations with my lovely cousin and one of my best friends regarding their positive experiences with Weight Watchers, I decided to join. I know that the program is not a "cure all" and I still need to learn how to handle my emotional eater issue (say that 5 times fast) but I do believe it will help guide me in the right direction and the meetings I am able to attended will offer that extra moral support (from those who are dealing with the same issues).

Wish me luck!