I'm just going to be real with you for a minute, and hopefully I won't gross you out too bad. I've been vegan for about 5 years now, and it was a little bit harder for me to kick the meat than it was for my husband. It's odd, because some people make up their minds or get so grossed out by research that they stop immediately and never look back... but the rest of us struggle, feeling un-full, and weak. There's good reason for that. It takes about 6 to 8 hours to digest a piece of meat, therefore, when transitioning to meat-less meals, you digest the food faster, and feel hungry sooner. The weak feeling can be attributed to many things, like fiber break down, lack of needed fats etc... but from my own experience, it was just really a glitch in the process. It was more of a mental situation than anything. An important thing to understand first, is that there are replacements for your meat. Thankfully there are companies out there like Morningstar, Boca, Worthington, and Loma Linda that make meat alternatives that have the taste and texture of most meats. They can be found in the freezer section of most grocery stores, or even in cans on the shelf (mostly in healthfood stores). These are excellent to get you started as you're trying to cut the meat, fat, and toxins from your diet.
As you progress in your quest for health, you'll become more conscious of things like sodium levels, sugar, and processed foods. That's when things get a little deeper, and yet simpler. In all of my practice as a vegan, creating meat alternatives from different things like gluten flour, oats, millet, and various other grains, I've found that the healthiest, least time consuming, and altogether best alternative is mushrooms. There are all different types and flavors, but each one provides the bulk, hearty, meaty feel that we miss from the meat. You don't always get the exact texture that you would from meat, like replacing ground hamburger meat in your spaghetti with chopped mushrooms, but soon you'll figure out that that is really not a big deal, unless you're entertaining guest that are little less adventurous than yourself (in which case it's safest to use a store bought meat alternative that looks just like the real deal).
The benefits of eating mushrooms can be found here
(Benefits), and a study on replacing meat with mushrooms can be found here
(Study).
As I said before in my
Portobello burger post, I know a lot of people are opposed to eating mushrooms, because they cannot fathom the idea of swallowing a fungus. There's just something about how ugly mushrooms are that really freaks people out. Well, reality check... that cow that was massacred didn't look real pretty either as it was being harvested for your burger. The truth be told, America's meat industry standards are much lower than most other countries around the world. Even impoverished countries have much higher quality meats, because their farms are small, and the animals are taken to the street market alive, and slaughtered at purchase or at the buyers home. They're also fed real food, and not GMO corn and grain that is not natural in their diets. They are on organic diets if you will, therefor are much healthier and provide much more nutrients to their consumer. The United States allows meat to be dead for much longer before it actually hits the shelf... which means producers are aloud to soak the meat in preservatives and various other chemicals like bleach to kill the smell of rotting flesh and also the discoloration that comes with it. Sadly, it's even widely practiced to use an edible grade glue to glue parts (like thighs and legs of chickens) back together after decay has worn the fibers to the point of falling apart. If a steak isn't quite big enough to sell for that hefty price, they simply glue more meat to the steak. I know it's hard to believe, and un-appetizing to think of, but that ugly little mushroom doesn't sound so nasty now huh? There are many- many documentaries that put the spot-light on the downfall of the meat industry, and how what we're feeding our families is causing cancer, diabetes, autism, retardation, and a conglomeration of other terrible diseases. The FDA, and the big food producers of the world want to sell their product... if it means kick-backs to the FDA board members and politicians, then so be it. They admit that they don't usually eat the foods they sell, and that my friends, is scary. You'd be surprised at how closely linked pharmaceutical companies, the FDA, and the food industry are. They all keep each other at the top of the financial food chain. But who am I to tell you these things? If you are reading this post, you obviously are of the inquisitive nature. Google the things that you'd like more information on. Go to youtube and search for documentaries. Hear it from retired chicken farmers how the government made them feed antibiotics to the livestock, and how they force them to keep animals caged in dark buildings with no windows or ventilation (a breading ground for disease). Don't take my word for it. Just spend one day researching these things, and your eyes will be opened, and your mind likewise. You may not convert on the spot, but you will definitely think twice about where you get your meat, and if it's necessary for every meal.
It's been proven time and time again through studies and experiments that meat causes disease, and is not necessary to obtain the recommended protein for healthy and strong bodies. As a matter of fact, the "Blue Zone study" was done by a reporter for National Geographic, which looked at the top nine groups, I believe, that live the longest on the planet. Most of these groups have diets rich in raw fruits, nuts, and vegetables, and little to no meat consumption. The number one spot goes to the Seventh Day Adventist of Loma Linda, California, a group of people that are primarily vegan, vegetarian, and abstain from harmful substances like tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine. The China study was one of the most comprehensive studies done on a world wide scale that spanned over a 30 year period. It concluded that the vegan diet was absolutely the best way to go for disease prevention and longevity.
This is just a blog post, it's not an in-depth look at my research, and should by no means be the end-all of your research. I just wanted to point out a few things to perk your interest in creating meat-less meals.
Please consider these things carefully as you begin to think about making changes in yours and your families diet... especially if you have children. The food can be made to excite the tastebuds, and like with all other changes we make, you and they, will get use to healthier food. The first step is deciding what you want to change. The next step is only purchasing the healthier items from the grocery store. Fight the urge to buy things you know are bad for you and your family. If it's in the house, somebody is going to eat it. I hear all the time, "but healthy food is soooo expensive". It is true that fresh produce is more expensive than a box of hamburger helper, but you must think ahead. Think about how much money in medications, doctors visits (gas, fees, testing, lab bills), hospitalizations, surgeries, quality of life, etc... will be saved now. You can spend the money now or later, but if it's later... life will not be healthy and vibrant. It's your choice, and a very serious one. You may want to look at two specific documentaries on health, one is "Forks over knives" and the other "Food Inc.". There are so many, but these are great starters, filled with studies, interviews of people in the industry, and scientific fact.
Feel free to contact me, by leaving a message under this blog post with your email address. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have regarding statements I've made here, and questions about how to make healthier decisions. I wish you the best. Oh and one more thing... I pray. God's guidance is what I depend on as I'm researching and making decisions regarding my families health, I know that he wants us all to be healthy and happy.
