I'm a slacker at this blog thing, so what? It's not like the producers of Julie & Julia are knocking on my door wanting to turn this into a movie. If that was the case, the film would be 5 minutes long and would just feature us on the toilet.
I've been slacking for an abundance of reasons:
1) I've got nothing to say that anybody really wants to hear. See # 4 below.
2) I've been grumpy--my neck and shoulder injury is a pain in my ass and I'm watching my performance slide at crossfit. It's been discouraging to watch everyone's weight on the bar move up, while I've seen my weight on the bar drop down significantly (and that's when I can even do any of the lifts). I feel like I'm falling behind. The grumpiness has even impacted my cardio there. I'm just not giving it my all. I need to get my head straight again and push it. I'm working on it.
3) I'm still vegan and there's no "omg, is she going to make it for 30 days?" Yes. I am. For life. I feel like it's the best decision that I've made in my grown-up life, the best decision to take charge of my body, my mental health, and my love for animals. Took me years to get here comfortably. I did my research. I'm good.
4) I don't want to proselytize (maybe I do), but I just learned a ton of shit more about factory farming that I wish I could shut out of my brain. For tofucking sake people, learn about what goes into your mouth. You say you love animals? I love my cats, but I bet if I had a cow, I'd love that cow just as much. What's the difference? Learn about cows, pigs, and chickens' lives too. In fact, look at pictures. I just learned about these gestational cages basically, where a pig lays on its side basically it's entire life and just gets pregnant until it's no longer useful and then its killed. How great! Yay for assholes!!! How did we get here, people?
Interestingly, I spoke with a photographer today who went to a local kimberton farm to do a piece. Well, the photographers for the magazine purposefully arrived a day early (as there were rumors of ill treatment and disgusting conditions). The farmers made them wait two hours, while they got the animals "ready." The photographer poked around though--and that was the day she went vegan. So in other words, a big F you to those local farms who claim they are righteous. They're just like cage-free eggs--a big total myth. At this point, in order to save my own head, I'm going to have to take some sort of step to turn anger into positive action. Would you still be friends with me if I protest? (I can hear the collective "no")
p.s. did you know that by 2048 the worlds' supply of fish will be gone?
So let's talk about some topics that are near and dear to my fart.
Organic v. chemical veggies/fruits: What do you buy? Someone basically told me recently that I'm a jackass for buying organic as the laws around pesticides and organic-ness are loose and who's really enforcing them? My take: buy what you want and I'll buy what I want. I do believe that there are companies out there who are trying to do good for the common good. Maybe I'm naive. I can live with that. However, my husband is still annoyed at the price of organic foods and our grocery bill. I think I can find a way to settle that bill with him...
Vitamin D: D2 (vegan) v. D3 (non-vegan) Like most northern americans, I have a significant vitamin D deficiency (wonder if that's contributing to my energy levels). My doctor tested me last year, advised me to take high daily dosage vitamin D and I never did. So I'm sure that low number is even lower this year. Being that my next physical is coming up, I ran out yesterday to buy vitamin D. I went with D3 (only option at GNC). I've done a lot of research on what works best and D3 has been accepted by vegans and non-vegans alike, it's not the best, but.... I'm still on a search for a good form of D2. Not all hope is lost on me.
Anyway, I am too torn up about reason #4 up above to even continue. In fact, I wrote about organic fruit/veggies and vitamin D before the education around the other stuff. But I just had to get it out. I'm not judging about meat eating (really, I'm not--I like my meat eating friends), but I'm sad, very sad for the lives that these animals are condemned to live. It's not fair. It's not kind. "It's not my problem."
Yes, yes it is. And environmentally, it will be our future generations' bigger problem.
Signing off.
hang in there, Chrissy!!! oh and if you are seeing strength gains declining, sometimes that is a sign of detox. It happens when people start paleo too. I am having detox symptoms since I cut out grains- zits like a teenager!!! Look at it as a positive. Detox is a good thing and you will come back stronger than before!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jane! It's emotional making the full transition to vegan (especially when you hear about what goes on.) I totally waxed judgmental yesterday and have to pull back the reigns.
ReplyDeleteToday was the first day I felt fabulous in a long time. I had strength tonight!
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ReplyDeleteHi, Chrissy,
ReplyDeleteAccording to Dr. Michael Greger, D2 is equivalent to D3 in normal doses (~2000 IUs), but when you're required to take 50000 IU's per day, D3 is better, however, RD's like Brenda Davis just say to take more D2, there is no need to take D3. However, if you want to take D3, then this is the best bet http://www.vitashine-d3.com/, although it's expensive and it has to be shipped from the UK. I personally use the Deva D2, 2400 IU product. it's a bit more than 2000 IU but not too much. I grind it up in my Vita-Mix and since I share it with my wife and youngest son, so I'm probably getting closer to 2000 IU's per day. If you use fortified non-dairy beverages like Soy Milk or nut milks, you'll get a good bit but those products list the DV based on the old IU requirements, so you could go with Deva's 800 IU DU and take 2 of those per day. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me or Allison.
-Scott