Today marks the 40th birthday of Earth Day. Environmental concerns have changed a lot over the 40 years. What started as an effort to clean up things we could taste, see and smell, we seem to now be faced with much larger issues like global warming and creating clean and healthy energy for our future. I still believe each and every one of us can make a difference, each and every day. Using refillable bottles, less paper, less energy and pledging daily to reduce, reuse and recyle are all within our control. Needless to say Vegan Feast Thursday (VFT) will be a celebration of abundance from the Earth, tonight. I am not 100% sure of how many of these things I will end up making tonight (depending on how well I do at the grocery store) but I am planning on a sandwich bar with: black bean burgers–vegetable subs or sliders with some mushrooms and zucchini–gardein (a vegan item now available at even Publix) “chicken” sandwiches and wraps with hummus/avocado/sprouts, etc. I am hoping to find some nice grainy breads and rolls. I will probably make a peanut butter banana bread which always help me “recyle” the end of the week’s bananas. I do allow myself to indulge in something like a sandwich on a VFT, but portion control becomes the key!
I cannot stress enough how good I feel physically and mentally. Last year when I tried an all plant based diet I put on some weight. That was partially because I was in the throws of menopause and partially because I allowed a free for all on items like vegan pizza, bagels and pasta. Then I tweaked my “diet” to allow eggs and dairy and fish back in. Eating eggs for breakfast was a sure-fire way of getting more protein and less doughy carbs at least for one meal a day. Combing my eating changes with following P90X for the summer, helped me drop 8 pounds. After a while, however, the weight start creeping back on (not all of it) and my heart and head were not at all happy with the eggs and fish and dairy, so here I am again. This time I refuse to let white carbs sabotage my eating!!!! The weight is almost all off and I am definitely eating more calories than last summer. Probably a good couple of hundred more. (I am sure if I needed to drop a few more pounds for a wedding or something, I could easily eliminate the graham crackers smeared with peanut butter and sprinkled with chocolate chips that I indulge in after dinner!) It’s really hard to store fat, though, when everything that comes in is wholesome and hence comes back out pretty easily! My energy level is great, I don’t think I have lost any muscle mass and most of all my body, heart and head are all in a very happy and PEACEFUL place.
Blaze and I are off to walk and clean up the streets of Ramblewood South again. This is a great project for us to do together!
A million thanks for checking in. Think green–eat greens. Celebrate this wonderful home we call Earth!
I love the water-color graphic that you inserted in your blog today. Perfect for Earth Day.
This morning was absolutely sublime! I worked out in our garden, watering, pruning and just enjoying the cool breeze. It seems that our planet KNOWS that today is a special tribute day. Hopefully others will enjoy and respect Earth today and be more mindful of how precious our planet really is.
Enjoy your VFT. It sounds yummy. I love black bean burgers. I am sure that your guests will delight in every bite. Hold up your glasses and toast to Earth Day!!!!