Heal the world

I have always tried to make an effort to lessen my carbon footprint. When recycling first became the "right" thing to do I was in junior.  And my team's name was E-3 (earth, ecology and environment).  Immediately my mom became an avid recycler, and to this day I sometimes think she is better at it than me.

When I had my daughter I was even more aware of the waste and contamination that exists.  She was fed organic baby food, bathed in chemical-free wash and my cleaning products became all-natural.  I even went out and bought some things to make sure I was disposing of less garbage.  The Swiffer went bye-bye and was replaced with a floor mop that could be thrown in the wash.  My husband and I started a small garden so that the food we fed her that following summer would have less amounts of pesticides.  It wasn't perfect though.  I wish I could have done more.  Time wasn't on my side and my stress level increased by working full-time and being pushed into a promotion.

Then, two years later I gave birth to my son.  This was when my life really changed.  Don't get me wrong, the birth of your first child definitely changes you.  The birth of my second opened my third eye a little bit more.  During my maternity leave I turned my entire family into a vegan eating machine.  My son was breastfed and ever since he started solids he hasn't eaten meat and the dairy is very limited.  He has only been sick once with a cold and his growth rate is perfect--50th percentile.  Unlike my daughter, who had Fifth's disease, flu, colds, colds and more colds, allergies, coughs--you name it. Although my daughter had eaten meat and plenty of dairy before all of this (which sometimes I beat myself up about), she has taken to the change phenomenally.  She still likes to eat meatballs at her grandma's, but I will never restrict her to something like that.

But vegan food can be as beautiful and delicious as this Reuben from Chicago Diner.  DE-LI-CIOUS!

We made this change for several reasons.  Our health is one, a vegan diet is shown to reverse and prevent disease.  Don't worry, we are doing this the right way.  We eat enough protein, we get our B vitamins and calcium.  I try to make the most whole meals that I can.  Processed food isn't consumed on high levels at our home. 

Another reason was the environment.  It's astonishing what impact you have on the environment when you consume meat and dairy.  The statistics are much more pleasing when you become vegan.
 
http://www.vegan.org/about_veganism/environment.html
http://michaelbluejay.com/veg/environment.html

And lastly, my compassion for animals has been surprising.  I never gave it much thought when I was biting into a burger or sawing off a piece of steak.  Now it's something that is important to me.  There is something special it has done for my spirituality.  I feel more at peace with my place in the universe.

 I wish everyone would try it. Curious?  Here's a good resource: http://pcrm.org/kickstartHome/   It's not hard and we aren't crazy. I am so thankful that we made this change in our lives.  It has helped me see a lot of things differently.  I still eat as much organic food that I can.  In fact our garden this year will be 100% organic.  I have been traveling to flea markets and thrift shops to reuse (and save a buck).  We bought a rain barrel to start conserving water.  I'm still looking for more ideas...please share them with me!

It's amazing to see such a beautiful woman who is living the Hollywood life care so much. Pregnant and vegan!
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