We began a trial vegetarian way of eating in August 2017; we had both suffered heart attacks as I had said previously--he in 2014 and I in 2016. I was lucky that my surgeon chose to implant the stent through my wrist... I knew that through the groin was so much more painful, not only in recovery but in healing, as Tim had the groin procedure done. I had always meant to eat healthier yet it was never a real focus; besides, I enjoyed food way too much; it had always been the center of every celebration and family event. Later in life I had to come to terms with the other reasons I used food--to pacify myself, to escape reality by feeling good. The various times and why I would turn to food to self-medicate escaped me. I was diabetic and over the years I became sicker and sicker, with no energy, catching every flu and cold going around in the office. Developing bronchitis was almost a yearly event for me. I had made some small changes and didn't really feel compelled to make huge ones. I had reduced my sugar intake, stopped using artificial sweeteners and learned to have my iced tea without any sugar at all, a huge win! I had even gone cold turkey on dark sodas in the 90's, and hadn't gone back, not even diet sodas.

Naturally, I thought I was doing okay, although I continued to battle my weight... the same 20 lbs, lost and gained over and over again. Frustrated but never enough to make hard changes. I was still eating pastries, cakes, and cookies, just not as often. I told myself that everything we eat turns into sugar, so what's the harm; my body couldn't recognize a cookie from a potato! Right?? I also continued to eat fried foods, gravy, and marbled meats. I had huge portions at mealtime, not the fist-sized portions I was allowed as a diabetic. Spaghetti was not a serving size, but a plate full! I was also enjoying Starbucks drinks twice weekly, with loads of sugar and milk fat, turning a blind eye to the huge amounts of sugar and fat in each frappe. All this with a total disregard to what it was doing inside my body. Self gratification reigned! Yet I was still shocked when I had a heart attack in 2016! It didn't even feel like a heart attack, just a dull pain, like a big rock traveling from my chest around to my back.

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As I have said before, in searching one afternoon for a Netflix movie, I came across a documentary on the way food is produced, namely beef, called Cowspiracy. I couldn't believe that they are fed ground-up cats and dogs that are euthanized at shelters! I always assumed they were buried. That film led to another and another (What the Health, Vegucated, Food, Inc, and Forks Over Knives).  I was shocked and sickened, especially watching them a second time with my husband. I was crying at the end of the afternoon, watching these films. We made the commitment right there and then to stop eating dairy, chicken and meat--no transition... we would just go for it and try it for two weeks. Just 2 weeks. 

I have to say that It was surprisingly easy and we didn't miss meat at all... and we had been huge meat lovers! My love affair with BBQ ribs and pastrami sandwiches had been satisfied monthly. State fairs meant fried foods, sweet and salty. I loved beef and I loved cooking. Now our lives were about to change drastically and we would become of all things, Vegetarian! I had already stopped eating ground beef months earlier after I found gristle and bone too often in it, and the tendons in chicken legs, well, that just finally grossed me out. That effortless eating plan led to two months more; then we tried it for six months... and that was it for us. I became more aware of what I was actually consuming as far as fats, sodium, and sugar. We were on a Whole Foods, Plant-based lifestyle--a diet plan for life, a Plan to Live and Prosper! I began learning all I could about being a vegetarian, although we still chose to eat eggs (we raise chickens), shellfish and fish, oh and turkey.

We are non-dairy, low salt, low oil, and low sodium vegetarians; well, mostly vegetarians. I always avoided milk as I am lacto-intolerant, but my husband enjoyed whole-fat milk in his cereal and loved his buttered toast each morning, two slices. This was a new thing for him to go non-dairy, even butter! There was a huge learning curve... as vegetarians, I didn't think much about eating pasta, potatoes, and rice in abundance instead of meat... huge mistake. I didn't lose weight--I gained! I had to follow portion control with these, foods, if I eat them at all. Usually I limit white carbs while most vegetarians simply eliminate them, choosing whole grains instead. I am, however, working on eliminating white flour products, white rice, reducing oils and eating whole grains and legumes. I also had been watching my portion control, not choosing to have 'seconds' and not eating dinner so late in the evening. It was shocking to see almost a 14-pound weight loss in a couple of months! I can DO this! Now that my numbers improved, I began incorporating more movement when I was able so that I could lose weight again. 

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My diabetes? Since really working on reducing carbs and unhealthy fats, I have fasting blood sugars of 78-90, between-meal numbers of 90-112 and I have reduced my daily and nighttime insulin usage by several units; for some meals, I don't have to use insulin at all to cover it as it is mostly vegetables. I find if I have had a carb-heavy meal (like beans) too late the night before, fasting morning numbers are more in the 130 range. I usually have a nut or celery snack between meals and there is around 5 hours between my 3 daily meals. My last eye exam showed that the pre-glaucoma situation is no longer an issue; my eye pressure is now normal. My optometrist asked me what I was doing! So I told him. At one point, I was told there would be numerous appointments in my future to determine the next course of action as I had retinal bleeders. Gone! My A1c has been reduced from 13.0 to 7.3-- my last A1c test in December 2018 came in as 6.3! 

I sleep more soundly now, and for longer hours, although I still enjoy afternoon naps. My blood pressure came down; it is usually around 156/70 and most recently has been around 140/70 and an hour after meds it is around 120/60 although I do feel dizzy and sick at that level.  I expect to increase my energy levels once I am no longer taking blood pressure pills which cause fatigue, dizziness and headaches.  I could not exercise or move much because of my knees, so this improvement is all due to diet changes alone! I recently checked out a book on Hatha Yoga this year (2019); if it can help my old class friend Bruce go from little physical movement at all with labored breathing and carrying an oxygen tank to 2 years later running a marathon, well, it certainly works! Game On! We are currently checking for classes. 

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Ketchup has more sugar than chocolate ice cream - 29% vs. 21 %; Wishbone Russian Dressing has more sugar than Coca Cola - 30% vs, 10%; Hershey bar, 51% sugar; Shake'n Bake, 51% sugar; Ritz crackers, 12% sugar. This was shocking to me as I loved ketchup on so many food items and also Ritz crackers but as a diabetic I had to learn where hidden sugars were and how high the count was. So these food items I no longer eat. There are unhealthy oils, sodium, starch and fattening additives in processed foods like potato chips, so we do not buy them. Even some of the transitional, meatless prepared products have a high sodium count and 'hidden' ingredients like skim milk or casein (I'm lactose intolerant). We choose better meatless products with less sodium and no hidden milk products. 

Most recently we learned that fast-food French fries have beef tallow in them for flavoring. We immediately stopped eating McDonald's French fries, and we love, love them! Vegetarian processed, frozen foods have way too much sodium or fat, and other foods also carry hidden sugars. I like Ezekiel 4:9® Bread, made from freshly sprouted, organically-grown grains; it is naturally flavorful and rich in protein, vitamins, minerals with natural fiber and no added fat. Try it toasted to release its exceptionally rich, nutty flavor. It is crunchy and delicious!  I really enjoy it. 

When these six grains and legumes in Ezekiel 4:9® Bread are sprouted and combined, an amazing thing happens. A complete protein is created that closely parallels the protein found in milk and eggs. In fact, the protein quality is so high, that it is 84.3% as efficient as the highest recognized source of protein, containing all 9 essential amino acids. There are 18 amino acids present in this unique bread - from all vegetable sources - naturally balanced in nature. We also enjoy Dave's Killer Bread from time to time, fresh, organic, and nutty with 21 whole grains and seeds, mostly for cold sandwiches as the bread slices are soft. Of course, I now have reduced sandwiches to only once a week as I really am carb-sensitive. I also make sure I don't have carbs at every meal, even complex carbs which is hard to maintain as I take 2 kinds of insulin and am often low. 

We have become avid label readers (it takes a lot of time), and if the product lists more than 5 ingredients, or if the sodium count per serving is high, it's a 'No' to buying it. I have often excitedly reached for a tasty sounding, vegetarian product only to return it to the shelf. Several vegan products even have casein (milk) in them so vegans really need to read the ingredients listed on the labels of processed foods they purchase. We are now trying new pastas made from veggies like chick peas, quinoa, lentils and edamame; I learned to avoid Corn as it is not a vegetable but a grain and grains raise blood sugars quickly; I have switched to a coffee-like beverage made from barley (to reduce blood pressure) called 'Beyond Coffee' which I am enjoying. It does not mimic coffee but for me, provides a tasty alternative that is healthier for me while I am on blood pressure meds.

Beyond Coffee was invented by Ellis Percy of Spruce Bush Farm in Maine. Percy, who has been involved in the organic movement for 40 years, developed Beyond Coffee after months of experimentation. It is an organic, vegan product that contains roasted chicory, barley, and rye, each of which have many health benefits. Chicory is rich in polyphenols, which help reduce inflammation, and antioxidants, which protect against damaging free radicals and help cleanse the liver. Studies have shown that it can help reduce stress, reduce joint pain, and prevent indigestion. Chicory root contains inulin, a prebiotic. Prebiotics help grow beneficial probiotics in your digestive system. Barley is a great source of fiber, which is important for maintaining a healthy bacteria balance in the digestive tract. It helps lower high cholesterol and regulate blood sugar levels. It is also a good source of many critical nutrients, including magnesium, copper, selenium, thiamine, and niacin. I daresay I will continue it even after I am off those meds.

I stay away from fake sugars as Erythritol is a sugar alcohol, so it will raise diabetic blood sugars significantly when consumed by the tablespoon. I have discovered non-diary, coconut whipped cream for my coffee, and Kite Hill yogurt, several brands of tasty vegan cheeses, and almond chocolate milk. It's a process, eating plant based... one for Life... a Healthier and longer life! The amazing food selections on grocery store shelves just prove that many more people are now embracing a healthier life. Even fast food restaurants  offer plant-based hamburgers--some are Impossible burgers, some Beyond Meat burgers. This is no longer just a trend! I have a list on my phone of vegetarian restaurants we can frequent while out and about at lunch or dinnertime. Even then, we need to be selective about our choices. These vegetarian and faux foods have high sodium and fat counts that are not healthy. People are waking up to what meat consumption is doing to their hearts, their bodies, the environment, and are making changes for the good of all. Less processed, more natural food from the ground is the ticket. Grow what you can, frequent farmers markets, avoid simple starches and sugars, eat complex grains and fresh vegetables... so many tasty ways to prepare them! Here's to your good health and long life!

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