Blog This

I mentioned earlier in the week, I decided to evaluate the reason behind why I began the crazy endeavor of blogging. Yes, I understand most people would know this before they even started, but I’m not like most folks. I like to do things backwards, and I don’t like to think about anything too serious or too deeply for any length of time. When things are smooth sailing, I see no reason to explore the depths of my psyche. Seriously, self-analysis is tough and can suck sometimes, so of course I wouldn’t willing subject myself to it. Food Blogging for Dummies (Pffftt – stupid book) argues you should know your reasons for starting a blog, and since I want to give this my all, apparently I need to understand the Why (Damn Logic).

Let’s begin, and let’s put it in list form because nothing makes me giddier than a list.

Question: Why Toss Your Sanity Out The Window and Join the Madness of Blogging? (at least that’s how I read it).

• “Well, yeah, I guess it’s obvious, I also like to write. All ya had to do was give (Meghan) a chance and now I’m gonna do my dance.” I used to write all the time in high school and even a tiny bit in college, but one day my creative side just shriveled up and retreated to a long-lost corner of my mind. There might have been outside influences involved (it was college after all), but the cobwebs have cleared, and I’m ready to give it a whirl. Dust off that saddle because I’m back (and not a big fan of dirt).
• I’m hoping to find like-minded individuals. Although I love Cleveland, let’s face it, it’s not the mecca of health consciousness for food and fitness. Quite the opposite really, and I’m tired of being dismissed for passing on meat, for eating “healthy” (please stop saying it like it’s a bad thing) or labeled a crazy person because I think food choice impacts your overall health. I need to know I’m not alone, and since the majority of my friends, co-workers and peers are still wearing rose-colored shades (can you say so 1982!), I needed to broaden my network. Hello Internet.

In my non-blog life, I don’t really broadcast my vegetarian ways and here’s why…

True Story and Quite the Norm here:

            Random Person: “So you don’t eat any meat?”

            Me: “Nope, no meat at all.”

            Random Person: “Do you eat chicken?”

            Me: (Um last time I checked, chicken was still meat, so yeah) “no

                    chicken either.”

            Random Person: with a chuckle, “How about salt? Are you allowed to eat salt?”

            Me: verbally “Yep, salt’s ok,” and internally “Ass”

The funny thing is I don’t think being a vegetarian is a huge deal, and I’m not against eating meat. Personally I’m not a huge fan (except bacon), and it’s high in saturated fat, but if you want your pork chop (the other white meat – does anyone else think this phrase is weird?), you should have it, in moderation.

I would define myself more as a “clean, albeit messy, eater,” and did I just make up a whole new category…Yes, fist pump. Bad jokes aside, clean eating is a subject I’m tremendously passionate about. I speak from experience, and I want to share it with others who feel the same, which leads me to my third reason….

• I want to inspire people (who’s wearing rose-colored glasses now?). I know, I know, it’s crazy but true. The Hubby and I went through a pretty rough patch health-wise, a far more serious patch than anyone in their early thirties should have to endure, and clean eating has turned things around for us. Believe me, I didn’t always think this way and would eat any processed piece of junk, but I’ve lived it now, and I believe everyone can be healthy and feel great about themselves (and you don’t have to be a stick figure existing on carrot sticks or an exercise fanatic to do it). It does have to be your choice though, and you have to make the connection between what you eat and how you feel. I listen to dramatically overweight people talk about constant aches and pains, yet see no relationship between the two. I would suggest anyone walking around with a fifty pound weight strapped to their waist all day, every day, will eventually feel it in some part of their body (bad back, sore knees, swollen ankles, joint paint, headaches). It puts a real strain on your body, but let me be perfectly clear, I’m not saying all health problems are solely due to being overweight. This isn’t just about poundage. Neither the Hubby nor I were terribly overweight prior to the switch; heavier yes, obese no. You can be as skinny as a rail and still feel badly, and be at a higher risk for having health problems if your diet consists of processed junk with a bunch of additives, chemicals and ingredients you can’t pronounce. What I’m trying to say (in far too many words…again, I know) is your quality of life will improve and your weight will decrease if you change your habits. You have a choice between existing in pain, being tired, crabby, lackluster, and angry, or you can change it and feel amazing. You have to work at it, but it is most definitely worth the effort, and YOU ARE WORTH THE EFFORT; I can’t imagine wanting to live any other way.

 

 

 

 

 

This is not a diet; I’m really not a fan of those because they don’t last, and sometimes they leave you feeling more dejected than when you started. Instead, it’s eating the right food and making the smart choices. You want to know the best part: healthy food can be mouth-wateringly good, like lick the bowl clean in public, good. Think divine, enticing, finger-licking, gum-smacking, gratifying, healing, nurturing, and rewarding. Food can be all those things, and you can also be truly healthy, happy, energized and eager to start each and every day. This is one of the many reasons I love reading other bloggers; their food is off the chain ridiculous (I’m talking crazy good) and still healthy. It can be done.

In a rather large nutshell, this is how I feel. Sue me for wanting the same for you, but don’t really sue me because it would suck. And then check out this commercial because it is so inspiring. If he can do it, we can all do it. You might want to get the tissues ready.

And the next time you see someone, regardless of size, shape and color, working out, give them a shout, a clap, a whistle, some kind of encouragement or reinforcement because everybody needs to hear it.

So am I completely crazy? Do you believe the type of food you eat impacts your health? And is chicken no longer considered meat, and I just missed it?

Have a great weekend!!