So I wrote this post when I was close to completing week 2 of nutrition school at Integrative Nutrition. My brain is a super sponge/permeable membrane welcoming all this fabulous knowledge. However, after nearly two weeks, and an awful cold/flu (I cant decide which one yet) I have become increasingly paranoid about dairy.

I find myself wanting to really cut dairy out for the sake of my sanity. The thought of what is being done to cows is beyond imaginable. I cannot fathom the horrid things that happen at these dairy farms. Well, maybe not farms but the big bad guys who milk a cow until it’s sore or even when it’s pregnant.

Though I don’t rely solely on dairy for my protein, vitamin D or other nutrients, I still find myself eating Greek yogurt, cheese, cheese and MORE cheese. I haven’t drank cows milk since the 6th grade (that’s about 12 years ago). Did you know we are the only species who drinks another animals milk? Cows drink cows milk, goats drink goat milk and sheep drink sheep milk, etc.

Did you know it’s super challenging to quit cheese? The reasoning for this is because there are small traces of opiates (ex. Morphine) in cheese. I knew there was a reason I was having such a hard time quitting cheese. I am actually contemplating giving complete veganism a shot. I want to test out how my body feels without my beloved cheese and delicious yogurt. I have tried coconut milk and almond milk yogurt. It’s not terrible.

When I think about all the mucus causing cheese I normally love to eat when I am not feeling well, I think I could have prevented this. I know that dairy and I don’t really get along but me and cheese seem to do okay for the most part. Maybe that’s me in denial. But seriously this mucus is no joke!

I am challenging myself to a two week vegan challenge! I will eat vegan for two weeks and track how I feel and let you lovely readers know how it’s working for me. But for now, I’m off to drink tea and plenty of fluids and live off of soups for the rest of the day.

Peace, love and no beef (maybe no cheese?),
Guramrit

Lately I’ve been on a “No, thank you. I don’t eat that,” streak. This has driven a few people around me insane. I’ve gotten a few eye rolls, sucking of the teeth and odd looks. If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I’m very clear about what I do and do not like. In other words, I’m incredibly honest. Now, when it comes to my health, I am what my boyfriend likes to call “incredibly respectful and mindful” of what I put into my body. Well?!? DUH! There’s only ONE of me.

I have always gotten the weird gasp and odd look when I tell people I’m a life-long vegetarian. It just seems so strange to people who have revolved their meals around meat and meat products. I was raised to love vegetables and fruits and to eat healthy. I, of course, had moments of junky, crappy eating. Yes, it is possible for a vegetarian to eat crap. Once I graduated college I made it a point to really pay attention to what I was eating and how I felt after eating whatever I ate.

Now I am at a point where my body just let’s me know “no way this is not working for me. Don’t eat that,” “you’re not really hungry,” or “you need to eat some leafy greens.” I don’t eat chips (rarely-if I do they are blue corn tortilla chips), I don’t eat past 8 pm (this just works for me), me and junk food (aka French fries, fried anything, candy, sugary yuck) are not friends and I only eat when I’m hungry.

When I politely decline something, I am not trying to be rude. I am keeping my best interest at heart. I was appalled when someone said I came across as a brat. Well, I say no for me. I know what I like. I know what works for me. You don’t like it, well, tough you-know-what!

For my people out there discouraged and feeling as though they are straying far from their goals, just remember it is okay to decline something (politely) for the sake of your health.

Eat for you. Eat for your health, not just for pleasure.

Peace, love and no beef!

Guramrit

After months of anticipation and a big pile of collected nerves, I finally started nutrition school at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I can’t even begin to describe or explain my excitement. I find the joy in starting something new and ever since I can remember, school was always that ONE thing I always looked forward to. There’s just something about learning, taking notes, reading and becoming completely immersed in a topic you love. Ok, I know, I sound like the super nerd. Well, I am. I am just so in love with what’s to come.

The first week flew by. I work at my own pace (which in other words is, I strategically and practically make time and organize every step of the way so that I’m not allowed to procrastinate). I just cringed at my own run-on sentence. I apologize to every single one of my English and journalism professors for that.

Moving on…

This first week was mostly about settling in, setting intentions, goals and figuring out WHY I joined the program. I’m already antsy, waiting for the good stuff to show up. I got extremely antsy that I started listening to extra lectures that were posted by Joy Bauer and Kim Barnouin. I want to absorb as much as I can to become the person I envision myself becoming.

Over the course of this week, I have already learned so much (even though this week is equlivalent to syllabus week in college). I stand firm in my healthy lifestyle. I am proud to be vegetarian. My goals are becoming more apparent even though I am struggling with impatience and would appreciate a little help from my fairy god mother. Cinderella, quit being a fairy god mother hog. There rest of us girls out here need a little help now and then.

Besides my impatience with myself and the slow but steady progress (hey I work hard!) and fruition of my goals, I find myself wanting to help people attain and maintain their health and fitness goals. It’s not as hard as it seems people. You HAVE TO WANT IT! Making a choice for your health and eating for your health is not being snobby, uptight or “bougie.” You are making a choice out of the respect for yourself. Self respect is THE most important respect.

I respect myself enough to know what works for my body. I know what types of foods to eat that make me feel good, energized, alert and happy. I respect myself enough to listen to myself.

I respect myself so much that I embarked on this journey to continue to explore about myself. Nutrition school isn’t just about helping others, it’s also about helping me become a better me.

That’s all for now folks.

Peace, love, no beef!

Guramrit