Its all about the Plantbased Lifestyle, No Trouble !

I wish I could tell you the exact reason why I decided to stick to a plant based diet for good. I guess there were just too many events this past year that led up to this lifestyle. If one event didn't happen, I might still be munching on processed foods and animal products as I blog! A lot of self growth, failure, and learning from those failures were what got me to where I'm at today.

I can tell you that knowledge is power, but if you do not apply it to your life, it's worthless information.

When you read more and more about nutrition, you run into how food is being processed these days. You have to literally, consciously tell yourself to not click on all the graphic videos of animals getting treated in the most inhumane ways in order to get that bacon. We all know processed foods are horrible. We all know the "fat free" and "sugar free" scams are truly just disease-causing foods. We all know that the trillion dollar industries partner up with our government to keep pushing these foods in the earliest stages of our kids' lives. We all know that these companies partner up with the pharmaceutical companies. How can they stay in business if people aren't ill from foods that cause all of these diseases?

It's 2015 and everyone knows how bad it is for these animals. Also, everyone knows that you can get all of your nutrients from a plant based diet and that you don't need to eat animal products to get all the protein you need.

So why do we keep eating that animal product? I know you have seen all those videos, and you close your eyes and your heart drops and your throat tightens, you look at your puppy or cat and you hold them close. Why do you have these feelings? Because we are all connected. Every living creature has a soul. They have a heart that beats, they have bodies that can carry life and give birth and they yearn to nurture their offsprings just like us. They are born and have the instinct to be close to their mothers and feel protected. But guess what: If you don't have a connection with your body, mind, and soul, how can you feel connected to other living creatures? You simply can't.

I can go on and on about the cruelty and evil of the meat and dairy industry and process foods. But I know you all know all of this facts. Let's get to the core of why I deeply wish you could simply just eat healthy foods and not care about eating junk food or animal products. Let's start with how we are all addicted to it. Especially processed foods. NO it's not the lack of will power, it's an addiction. And like every addiction you can't cure it overnight. It will take time, but daily changes will get you the lifestyle you always wished for. First, it will be hard, but as time passes by before you know it, eating real food will just be part of who you are. Our bodies are starving for nutrients, but if our diet lacks nutrients, even if they are ridiculously high in calories, guess what our bodies will tell us? "I'm still hungry!" So you stay hungry! This becomes a vicious cycle because you think you need to eat less to loose weight so you go for the zero calorie junk. Meaning all your body wants is nutrients. That is why all of the low calorie, low nutrient diets will always fail. If every meal that you have has ingredients that all have nutrients your body needs, then your body will perform at super hero levels! Your mind will finally be connected to your body. Because now your mind knows exactly what your body needs! So let's get started!

First step:
Write down your diet as of now.
This will give you a good idea of how much animal product or process foods you are really consuming. Many people think they really aren't eating much and then when they journal it in they are shocked that every meal has something highly processed!

Second: Get rid of all junk food in your home. If you can't get rid of it, try to get rid of 50% of it. Next week try to get rid of all of it. Baby steps. But you are at least walking to a healthier lifestyle. Remember this: You are an addict. So, if you keep this junk food in your house, you will eat it. Make your life easier and just get rid of it.

Third: Now that you know what you are eating, change one or two things by replacing them with either fruit or a vegetable. For example, for breakfast you have a smoothie and you put whey protein, milk, and Splenda in it. Replace your whey protein with vegan protein, add spinach and kale, berries, water or almond milk and dates for sweetness instead of fake sugar. BAAM!! You have a much healthier breakfast without sacrificing taste, and you are adding more food. But food that all contains nutrients.

Fourth: Read, read, read! Learn, and apply it to your diet. The more you learn about a plant based diet, the more you will realize you truly can replace every processed food and animal product with wholesome foods and truly have amazing, fulfilling meals! The taste of real food is heaven on earth. If you a have a sweet tooth, there are so many options of delicious fruits that will cure that craving. If you want something salty, there are so many delicious ways to sauté and season vegetable and legumes that will satisfied those needs. Remember, your body has these cravings because we need them to survive. Now you are truly nourishing your body with nutrients - no more empty calories or junk.

Fifth: Stay consistent by telling yourself everyday that "everything I consume should heal me, nourish me, make me feel stronger, and make me more connected to everything around me." It should not cause me illness, and it should not come from a place where something living has suffered. Many people might call this praying. If you really want to feel connected to something bigger than you, choosing a plant based diet is a lifestyle where His presence is hard to ignore. Your spirituality will grow tremendously and you will be inspired to not only live for yourself, but you will have the burning desire to help others. You will look at the bigger picture in life, of how simple it is to be happy. That happiness starts within. The foods you consume are such a huge factor in this manifestation.

Building a strong connection with your body, mind and soul is a lifelong process, and a life worth living.