I'm so excited to finally share with everyone (or at least those who are interested) my passions around living a healthy lifestyle, and hopefully showing you that it can be both easy AND delicious - banana "nice" cream anyone??
Don't get me wrong, I haven't always been the healthiest person. I believe that we live in a very different time than even when my 26-year-old self was growing up. We have much more information at our finger tips, a lot more healthy foods available at our grocery stores (and our doorsteps, thanks to the wonderful world wide web), and an overall higher emphasis on eating and living a healthy life.
I was raised in a family that ate meat on a daily basis. My dad's favorite hobby was grilling. Dinner was usually grilled [fill-in-the-blank-with-an-animal]: chicken, steak, burgers, shrimp, wings, etc. If the weather wasn't conducive to grilling, we were having chicken pot pie, beef goulash, beef tacos, spaghetti with meat sauce ... you get the picture. Along with dinner, we would have a canned vegetable (no one even thought about BPA then), baked potato, and a tall glass of Dr Pepper. I also had an obsession with collecting ALL of the Barbie toys when they were featured in the Happy Meal. I was the proud owner of almost ALL of them... Needless to say, I am forever thankful to have grown up in a family that had dinner together around the table almost every evening. I would never wish for anything different.
How I Became a Flexitarian (is that even a word??)
I have always had a soft spot for animals. Being from Oklahoma, my long commute during college inevitably meant driving by a lot farmland, where the sight of cows could bring a smile to my face (weird, I know). Therefore, when I moved out of my parents house, I naturally became less of a meat-eater. I was quite picky when it came to meat anyway, so it wasn't a huge change for me. I ate much less beef, and would opt instead for chicken, ground turkey, or fish. My lunch during college consisted of a peanut butter and honey sandwich, some sort of fruit, and chips or pretzels. Breakfast meant a nice big bowl of (sugary) cereal.
During one of my college classes three years ago, it was one of those delightful blow-off days, where the teacher pops in a movie and catches up on grading papers. This day in particular, my teacher happened to play Food Inc., and my life was forever changed.
Within half an hour, I was trying my hardest to hold back tears. What I was watching was terrifying, depressing, and disgusting -all-in-one movie. Overall, I think most of us have aan idea as to what the meat industry is (inhumane, fowl, disease-ridden, the list could go on for days). However, when you see actual footage, go through the evidence, and get a true idea as to what goes on in the factories and on farms, I'm amazed at those who can continue to eat no different than they did previous to watching such a film. Fast forward two hours later, and I never wanted to eat meat again. Ever.
I started with being a pescatarian, and have moved to a mostly vegetarian diet - with an attempt to be vegan. I recently learned (thank you, Jeopardy and Alex Trebek) that there is a such term called "flexitarian" - which is a plant-based diet with the occasional inclusion of meat. I know that I have probably just offended a good amount of true vegetarians or vegans out there, but I truly feel that if I have a severe craving for something like red meat, my body is telling me something and I should comply. This happens about every 3-4 months. Nothing too crazy.
Fast forward another 3 years, to my recent honeymoon to the Domincan Republic (pictures included below of our amazing trip - cows included, of course). My husband and I decided to take an excursion, which opened our eyes to a whole other world, the Dominican life. We visited a cigar factory, sugar cane plantation, and a traditional Dominican home and farm. We ate fruit straight from the tree/plant, chewed on raw sugar cane, tasted raw cocoa beans, learned which herbs can naturally cure certain ailments or diseases, and saw an overall emphasis on healthy, natural living. When we returned, I felt completely rejuvenated, and interested in learning more about how I (and my husband) could lead a healthier life.
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Now, I'm not perfect in any regard, but that doesn't mean I'm not passionate about my beliefs and attempt to be the healthiest person I can be - without driving myself (and others...) crazy through depravation and obsessing over being the healthiest person in the world. I believe it's all about moderation, and just doing your best. There is a good chance that while I'm posting a recipe for the delicious smoothie I just made, I am also dreaming of doughnuts from my favorite bakery. I'm a believer that life is too short to not enjoy dessert. At the same time, life becomes even shorter if you don't think about what you are putting into your body.
Anyway, I plan to post about many topics: recipes, product reviews, natural remedies, healthy at-home living tips, and LOTS more. Stay tuned! :)
Tyler (that's me and my husband, lovin' life in the DR!)
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