Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Personal Transformation

4 weeks ago, I made a big decision.


I had been toying with Vegetarianism for years now. I'd go a day or two meat-free and be VERY proud. I've been working on a new list, inspired by Leni, my "29 before 29"-a fantastic list of to-do's, to-tries, and to-be's before I turned 29. #16 on that list was, "Explore a Meat-Free week and record the results." I felt happy, fulfilled, light and free the days that I left the meat out...but I'd always get sucked back in because I LOOOVED cheese and butter and bacon and ice-cream and BBQ's and... The salads at Cafe Rio make me drool a little bit. Training Table? YES PLEASE!-One Hickory Burger Combo, added bacon, with Cheese Fries, dipping sauce and a large Diet Coke. East Coast's Ham & Cheese with everything but onions. Yummm...


Until I read about three pages in T. Colin Campbell's, (PhD) book, The China Study.


I decided then-June 24th, 2009 that I was going to cut ALL animal protein out of my diet.


No Meat

No Dairy

No Eggs


I did it not to be ethically sound or to save the planet-I did it for a perceived selfish reason: My Health. But...the good news? I AM being ethical and am saving the planet! By not consuming these "foods" I am almost eliminating my chance of getting cancer and Type 1 Diabetes (both diseases are in my family-on my Mother's AND Father's side.) as well as supporting animal rights and NOT supporting the chemicals and pollution that comes from "processing" animals. There's not even the packaging to deal with. When buying fresh veggies, you get the produce bag-which can be recycled in Murray (either in my city issued recycling can OR I can take them to work-my Elementary school recycles grocery bags!)
In 4 weeks I've lost about 5 pounds and an inch each off of my tummy, thighs and arms. My skin is smooth and glowing. I need less sleep, have more energy and am tolerating heat better. I'm eating less, burning more. I never thought that I could get so full on veggies and brown rice...

ALL by just by cutting out animal protein.


About three weeks into this transformation, I received an email from one of my favorite online shops, Mod Cloth. They are having a Terrific Transformation contest in honor of their website make-over and asked for each of their friends to blog about THEIR biggest transformation. When I read it, my new lifestyle had clicked so well that I didn't think that it HAD been a personal transformation-it was just my new, easy life. Then it hit me-when I finally took a GOOD look at myself. I had made this change. I made this choice. A change that gotten me on a great path. More energy=More accomplished. Feeling Better=GREAT choices. And so on, and so forth.


I really believe that because of the HUGE, yet simple choice of becoming Vegan it has made it possible to start so much and clear negative beliefs, feelings, and thoughts. I've started attending my Church meetings with a good friend and for the first time in my life, LOVE IT. I've also committed to attending fall classes at The Academy of Arts University. (I can earn my degree 100% online! I just got info back today!)
Life is good.
j

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Let Them Eat Cake...

Sofia Coppola is one of my favorite writer/directors.
Kirsten Dunst is a HUGE fave of mine. So is Jason Schwartzman.

Naturally, I fell in LOVE with Marie Antoinette some years ago. Who wouldn't?


"Marie Antoinette defied both royalty and commoner by living like a rock star..."


Inspired by the look and feel of the movie as well as the AMAZING soundtrack (I'm in love with songs, 'Opus 36' by Dustin O'Halloran, 'Ceremony' by New Order and 'The Melody of a Fallen Tree' by Windsor for the Derby) and Donna Downey's 'Inspiration Wednesdays' I went to work transforming an otherwise blah journal.

The movie is so rich with color (pink, cream, orange, teal, light blue, sea foam green, sepia...) and sparkles and layers upon layers of INTENSE texture. I wanted to see what would happen when I pushed myself so I used the lavish feel of the music and the history as a template and completely ignored my inner instinct when I felt it was time to stop layering and adding. (Once I felt that "need" I pushed it another FULL day-about 6 hours of watching the movie and listening the music and adding MORE!)

THIS was the result:











Over the top Kisses,

j