With the fall season just around the corner and after many, many months of training, running and just plain goofing around, I now find myself wanting a little healthier lifestyle.When I was younger vegetarianism was sort of a fad with the hippy dippy lifestyle we were all living at the time (yes, I'm that old, so button up). I had long hair, sort of Janis Joplin style, worn long embroidered jean skirts and waterbuffalo sandals...ahhh, the age of Aquarius, Jefferson Airplane, Fritz the Cat and hemp....oh and being a vegetarian.
Well, now that I'm much older and hopefully a little wiser, I'm thinking back to how great I felt when I didn't have meat in my diet. Total vegan diet may be a little too strict for me...I love my half & half in my coffee in the morning and I'm not ready to substitute coffee for some lame chicory gorp. For the safety of those around me in the morning they will attest that I need my coffee (only 1 large cup, please).
I have been stealthily stalking Amy, Chia and the Tropical Vegan, reading their blogs and recipes and they run!! They haven't died, they are healthy and kicking! So, I'm going to try it again. I won't be adamantly vegetarian, if a chicken has flown through the broth of something I'm being served, I won't refuse to eat it....
The turning point for me was while reading my favourite archaeology PhD student, Xenia, and her post "A river runs through it", there was a picture of Carne Equina. Well, I had to look away! For those of you who truly know me, I am an avid animal lover, horses have been my passion my whole life, and yes, I do know that many, many of our horses in Canada are exported for meat. But to actually see it (again), well, I had trouble with it. I still *heart* you Xenia, you are and will always be my favourite PhD student !!!
So yesterday I went out and bought enough veggies, sauces, dips and bean curd tofu to sink a ship. I made an incredible dinner last night improvising from what I remembered from my "past life".
I'm even giving up my beloved red wine for awhile, see if that helps too while I prepare for the 2009 Triathlons. While I'm working on my swimming and cycling once the two half marathons are over, I'll be scouring recipes and websites!!
If you see a shadow over your shoulder while you're preparing your meal, it just might be me!
Life's fun if you don't weaken,
Lily
