Each day we get to choose how we want to live our life.
Many of you know that several years ago Tina and I quit eating meat, dairy, eggs. We have stepped on and off the path several times.
The one consistency has been no meat.
I personally have struggled with keeping cheese out of my diet.
Before I go any further…I’d like to explain…for me this has mostly stemmed from the treatment of animals. And even though milk, cheese and other dairy products seem pretty passive…they truly aren’t. But my job here is to share my thoughts, struggles and epiphanies….not to preach about animal rights. However, if you would like to know more about the treatment of dairy cows…go to a site not sponsored by the dairy industry and study up on the issue.
Back to my epiphany!
As I was saying I struggled to keep cheese out of my mouth. If cheese was on a sandwich I would pretend like it didn’t count because I didn’t ask for it.
Then….a few weeks ago I was talking to a friend’s step son who happens to know a lot about plant based diets. I was telling him about my frustration with cheese and how it felt like an addiction.
He confirmed that it truly is an addiction (he explained with a lot of scientific terms that I couldn’t begin to repeat).
Suddenly a light went on in my brain. As a smoker (I quit 11 years ago) I was never able to be a social smoker. I either had to totally quit or smoke 2 packs a day.
If I went 2 weeks without a cigarette (of which only happened twice in 30+ years) and tried to smoke just one cigarette…I would be back smoking 2 packs a day…within 24 hours.
So why isn’t cheese the same? If I want to eliminate cheese from my diet….I need to eliminate cheese. I can’t eat a slice of pizza without the overwhelming desire (aka addiction) kicking back in.
So I quit eating cheese. That day of my conversation with Barry…I quit eating cheese. Each day I take responsibility for what I am putting in my mouth…I make sure I say no to anything with cheese on it.
Guess what has happened as a result…my diet is improving. I am eating more vegetables, I’m avoiding oils, extra salt, etc. I’m eating at home more and avoiding the traps I have fallen into in the past.
There will always be peaks and valleys ahead….but each time I make a conscience decision to skip the cheese, say no to the sugar and pass by the processed food…I feel I’m stepping in the right direction.
Conversations Around the Tree 