So, after several weeks of really unhealthy eating and a 5+ pound weight gain, I am putting myself back on a lighter eating plan for a while. I’ve also decided to stop trying to label myself as vegan or even vegetarian this year. Of course, my eventual goal is to eat a 100% plant-based diet. However, trying too hard has never helped me. In fact, it’s hindered me, over and over again. So I’m letting up on myself and practicing gratitude for everything I eat.

I cleaned my fridge out from top to bottom to give myself a fresh start. It turns out I had so many old expired things in there. For some reason I had four or five jars of low sodium/organic pasta sauce in the back. Rather amusing, since I rarely eat pasta! After cleaning out the fridge, I headed over to my favorite store, Whole Foods, and stocked up on produce and a few other things. This is what I got:

• Organic apples (Jazz, Gala)
• Organic peeled baby carrots
• Celery
• Locally-made hummus
• Organic salad greens
• Organic romaine lettuce
• Organic soy yogurt
• Organic light string cheese
• Mini Baby Bel cheeses
• Kashi ‘Simply Maize’ cereal
• Gardein Herb Dijon Breasts (soy-based imitation meat)
• Small prepared fresh fruit cups of strawberries, grapes and cantaloupe
• Organic blueberries
• Organic spinach

Yum! Adding to the things I already have in my pantry and freezer, plus the few things I left in the fridge (oatmeal, seeds, nuts, some vegan soups, beans, peas, brown rice, veggies, fish, Tofurkey slices, low carb wraps, etc) I’ll be able to put together some light and healthy snacks and meals. Fruits and veggies will be a major staple, obviously. For a while last year I was eating a lot of produce but over the past month or so, it’s been mostly a free-for-all of salty, high-fat foods.

I also have fresh squeezed (unpasteurized) green juice and organic carrot juice in my fridge, plus lemons and a few oranges. I’m taking supplements now – a liquid calcium/magnesium supplement, zinc, Vit D, and digestive enzymes. I love drinking a combo tea of dandelion root and peppermint (cleans the liver and kidneys) and green tea.

A good friend has a theory about eating so-called ‘junk food’ (I am working to move away from labels of all kinds this year, including labeling things good or bad!) when on a spiritual path. Both of us find that anytime we make progress spiritually – have new awakenings, realizations, healings, etc – that we tend to both crave and reach for foods we don’t really want to eat. Her theory is that it balances us out and grounds us. I agree, and have decided to get out in nature more to become grounded that way. We’ve been having a very mild winter here in Oklahoma. Today, for example, is supposed to be almost 60 degrees! So I’m going for a walk at a nearby park.

I didn’t share much on here or anywhere else about it, but from the end of November until just a week or so ago, I went through a really difficult time. I basically hit a rock bottom emotionally, mentally and sort of physically. It was the most difficult time of my life, however, some amazing things came out of it. During that time I hit new lows but also a few new spiritual highs. I won’t get into too many details, (someday I will share more candidly about what happened) but essentially, I had to become ‘broken’ and empty in order to be filled with new light. Since then, I have developed a much stronger connection with my inner intuition and those around me. After a month of literal isolation, this past week, I’ve begun going out and meeting up with people again, and it’s been amazing! In the space of just a few days I have made several new acquaintances and friends.

Out of my month of isolation has come tons of insights and ideas for healing, service to others and many other things. I’m no longer a student at the School of Metaphysics, so I have plenty of time and freedom to basically create lots of new things!

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy your Monday! I’m off to meditate then make some breakfast.