Veggie Month!

Aloha everyone!!

So since deciding to set the challenge of being vegetarian for the month I have noticed some very interesting mental and physical changes so far and I kinda want to share with you guys! Have a read below of how it's gone so far!








So to begin with,

I had the idea that I just wouldn't be eating any meat, and seeing as I was making this transition from being a Pescatarian (from chicken and fish, to strictly fish only) I was prepared for the challenge and quite excited about making the change. I started off by cutting out my dairy completely, I did some research to see if there was any point in the first place, and was genuinely quite intrigued with the facts.. So I went out and purchased Unsweetened Almond Milk, and Granola In hopes of replacing any cravings for My midnight Crunchy nut and whole fat milk cravings -__-" I also am strangely addicted to English tea (maybe not so strange as I am from England).

The first challenge I hit..Being the foodie that I am, I eat out almost everyday!
I felt safe in my bubble at home, if ever needing to leave the house I would pack small snacks to keep me going throughout the day until I got back home, this started to become increasingly difficult when friends would want to stop at Mc Donalds or other food stores. I quickly found comfort in places like Pret or Costa snacking on things like Halloumi wraps, Salt and Sweet popcorn, croissants, Kale and Macarooni and cheese (which by the way I highly recommend it's amazing!!)
I started to enjoy the feeling of completing a meal completely meat free, and I found myself alot happier in general. If you know me you know my energy levels are already insane..but I found myself with alot of excess energy lately.

I also came across a chart I found interesting, I didn't realise how many variations of vegetarian there actually was:

I ended up telling my dad about my choice in diet and of course at first he was apprehensive (my dad is an ex body builder, MMA and fitness instructor and also nutritionist!) but he soon came round, after evaluating what I've been eating and doing he informed me that at some point my brain is going to be completely starved, confused and slow. I remember asking "Is that why no one likes vegetarians because they seem so spaced out?" lol later that week it wasn't even funny anymore, and like my "strange" peers I too became spaced out and alot slower. Cutting out so much left my brain and body feeling in complete and utter spacey-ness especially in the morning.. I began to research what the hell was going on, after cutting out so much I wasn't replacing it with anything, not giving my body enough nutrients and minerals. I was also starting to get down about petty things like not being able to eat chicken wings at nandos -_-.



On a shopping trip I discovered an Organic whole foods store and was in heaven..Everything was gluen free, fresh, vegan and vegetarian friendly! They also gave us a free meditation session as we came in..(Hows that for customer service!)









I came across what I can only describe to this day as my actual life source, without it I would be a Zombie. As off putting as it sounds Organic Barley Grass Juice. They had it on display as a sample and I thank God they did otherwise I would have continued to walk past it, here's a little about Barley juice but I suggest you read up about it especially if you're thinking of becoming vegetarian .

"Barley grass is said to have 30 times more vitamin B1 and 11 times the amount of calcium than there is in cow’s milk, 6.5 times as much carotene and nearly 5 times the iron content of spinach, close to seven times the vitamin C in oranges, four times the vitamin B1 in whole wheat flour, and 80 micrograms of vitamin B12 per 100 grams of dried barley plant juice"  (source http://www.gogreen.net.nz/barleygrass-nutrients.htm)

Since taking this everyday just mixing it with some apple juice, I've already noticed of all things, my skin looks alot better, but more importantly it's regulated my entire body. Now being vegetarian has become the healthiest choice i've ever made. I'm getting far more nutrients and minerals than I ever have. I also want to share that I genuinely have the most painful cycles I'm either sick from the pain or bed ridden for the first 2 days if not both. Since making this choice, I barely noticed when I was even on. For me that has been the biggest change of my life after reading up on the barley juice I think it may be down to the iron.

Mentally it has been a rollercoaster, I've actually had to deal with so many opposing opinions and stupid jokes from family members coming from a west indian background as well, it's just not known to be a sensible lifestyle. My mums birthday would have had to be the most challenging experience since being making this choice, and my whole family found out together seeing as I wasn't joining in with ripping off bits of the shredded duck etc. lol there was a sudden union of the family members or friends who didn't eat pork or red meat either hahaa and then they dug into there si chuan satay chicken breast skewers and chicken chow mein while I had to sit there isolated and wait for my vegetable fried rice..ahaha omg what a night that was -__-

What I wore for mums birthday dinner

Why is she so cute!

Anyway, my family has come round and actually supports my decision, since I have actually influenced my house to eat healthier! (m i r a c l e) who knows it may extend over a month I never imagined it to but I'm very happy at the moment. Being pescatarian in the first place was an ethical choice, I do not agree with how the animals are killed or prepared you know how it goes I won't bore you I just see it like, they are going to die anyway there's no need for them to suffer before hand..it kinda creeps me out that someone can get their thrills that way, and in terms of fish and how they are prepared, I only ate pole line caught fish which was a more ethical way of preparing them. Yh so anyhow a wise friend left me with these words I will leave them with you also..

There's no need to eat anything with a face on it.. ahaha set yourself the challenge!
Thanks for reading guys!
God bless