I’m not a vegetarian, but I eat like one…

This is the answer I give to most who ask me the question…

On January 18th, I started eating to live instead of eating to lose weight and I can honestly say that it was the best decision I have made.

The details may shock some and most of my friends have given me their defensive rebuttals but I understand why.  Everything we know about food in this country has been “spoon fed” to us by a corrupt government and the mis-informed media.
Why do I love the way I eat?  Here’s why:

• It’s inexpensive
• I feel fulfilled most of the time
• I forgive myself if I slip (aka eat meat or processed food)
• I have a lot more energy
• I bond with my kid (the vegetarian) through food
• I look great!

The last bullet wasn’t meant to brag.  Realistically, I’ve lost a few pounds, but the combination of having more energy, more freedom, and more “glow”, gives me a certain level of confidence no scale ever could.

I’ll keep you posted in future posts; revealing more and more, but first let me make the following food reading recommendations:

Eat to Live (thank you Jackie!)
Food Politics
Vegetarian Perspectives: Is Something Really Missing?

Soulfood Junkies - Dangerously in Love

Soulfood Junkies Teaser from Byron Hurt on Vimeo.

I am eagerly anticipating the release of this indie film that finally addresses the issues surrounding food choices and how these choices impact the health of the Black community.  I just watched the trailer for Soulfood Junkies.  As most of you know, this is a topic very near and dear to my heart as I continue on my challenging quest to keep it healthy.

Food advocacy is critical in the battle to educate our people about how they are being manipulated by the diabolic relationship between food processors and the USDA.

Please visit the Facebook page for this movie and "like it" in show of your support.

To be continued...

Vitamin D May Help Prevent Macular Degeneration

Saw this brief story on the news (thanks to Locohama!!) last night and was please to see what the doctors are prescribing to help eradicate this disease...VEGGIES! 




Here are some online sources regarding Vitamin D deficiency:
Dr. Weil
Web MD
Mayo Clinic

Just Salad...Yeah Right

I had some time to spare between appointments in the City today.  I was, in my opinion, in the worst part of town; the garment district...UGH.  The choices are dismal for someone looking to find just a salad.  After almost fainting from hunger in Lord and Taylor, I decided to just zig zag my way to my next stop until I found some place that was "nude foodie" friendly. 

As destiny would have it, I spotted from half a block away a sign that read "Just Salad".  I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.  Being the jaded New Yorker that I am, I was slightly skeptical as I neared the entrance thinking, "Please God don't let it be a dump."  He was listening (cue the angelic voiced singers...).

OK so let's skip to the reality of what this place is...it's a salad bar; the kind where the servers throw everything you want into a container and toss or chop the salad, toppings and dressings for you...the end.  I have worked in Soho for the past 11 years so this is nothing new to me, BUT....
Here's the Facebook (via Twitter) exchange that ensued while eating my delicious "greens and beans":

Me: Why would u name a place Just Salads??? U know ur gonna add soup and wraps to the menu!
AJ: Jedi mind trick
Me: The Jedi Mind Trick should have been to name the place "Just Steaks"
AJ: LMAO

It is funny isn't it??  Is it just shortsightedness or wishful thinking to name a place with the word "Just" at the beginning?

All in all, the salad was great and I pretended not to be tempted by the wraps, soups and chips.  Thank God they didn't sell cookies and cakes to accompany the "just" salad. 

Hmmm maybe the word "just" is being used as an adjective!! That must be it!

The Jinx and Reverse Engineered Excuses

I haven't posted to this particular blog in a long time.  Not because I haven't been doing well. As a matter of fact, I'm doing great!  Lately, my resistance to blogging about my healthy living journey, stems from a superstitious belief that I like to call "The Jinx".

I don't need to explain The Jinx (Just because I put it in a proper noun format, doesn't make it any different than a normal one.  I do so here only to make it appear more dramatic), but I did want to clarify that this particular jinx is a self-afflicting one; I do it to myself.

Every single change in diet I've had for the past 30 years, has been met with a certain level of success right up until the point that someone says, "Wow! You look great! Have you lost weight?  Your skin is glowing! Keep up the good work! Yadda Yadda Yadda!".  Don't get me wrong, I truly appreciate the feedback BUT my ego??? Hunny!  Homegirl loses her mind!  She starts telling me it's OK to "cheat" and not exercise "just this once".  After a few days of this, the progress begins to wane and the word  "plateau" becomes part of my vernacular (along with a ton of four letter words) at the daily weigh in.

So I've convinced myself  that blogging only makes matters worse.  It jinxes me.  It makes the outside world more aware of my journey, thereby creating this positive energy of encouragement and well wishes from my family and friends (the only ones that read this blog anyway lol), which in turn feeds my ego that then convinces me that I don't need to stay on target, and the weight starts to creep back...again.
Does anyone need a diagram?

I am, of course, totally off base here. The way that I need to visualize things is this way...

1. I blog about my weight loss journey.
2. I am accountable for my actions.
3. I stay focused.
4. I stay positive.
5. I continue to blog about my weight loss journey.

THE END