Get Ready, Get Set, Get UNPROCESSED! ~ A Food Transition

I've been a vegetarian since September 2011. As I've continued to learn more about our food, where it comes from, what it does to the body (both pros and cons) ...I've continued to fine-tune my interaction with food....what I've learned most, is my relationship with food is always evolving, just as our food sources are always evolving.

I need to give the primary chef in the household a BIG shout out here --> I'm grateful my husband has joined me on this adventure, because as a team it is a LOT easier to motivate each other and stick together than if I was doing it alone.

Picture Credit:
 inspirational-health-quotes - detoxmarket.com

In the book, Main Street Vegan, Victoria Moran talks about the transition from meat eating to a plant based diet (i.e...not meat eating) as just that - a transition. It does not have to be overnight. It can be in stages (examples: meatless Mondays and vegan before 5)....and sometimes moving entirely to vegetarian or vegan may not be in your future....or maybe it is over a healthy transition period.

What I've learned in yoga is transitions are often overlooked, rushed through (which in many cases is where students get injured). Transitions are part of the practice. They should be respected and mindfully approached. They are an opportunity to learn and build strength and stamina (think about that the next time your teacher has you hold a chatturanga for 5 breaths :)

The same goes with our approach to food transitions. No need to rush. My husband and I moved from eating real meat to eating soy/veggie/tempeh based meats (veggie burgers, soy chicken patties, etc). Essentially for the first few months our plates looked very similar as they always had ~ "meat", rice and veggies or some variation similar.

As we moved along our vegetarian path we wanted to eat more whole foods and less processed "meat" transitioning to learn more about other sources of proteins (greens, beans, grains, nuts, etc). Our meals changed again to be based on lentils, quinoa, in season vegetables, bean varieties, etc. slowly weaning ourselves off of the 'fake meat' diet....not to say periodically we don't indulge (they easy to grill and that is the one thing my husband misses the most about being vegetarian).

From Vegetarian we often try to eat Vegan at home (no cheese, eggs or milk). Life is always a transition....keeps it exciting and fresh!

This coming month we are going to embark on our next transition. Get Ready, Get Set, Get UNPROCESSED. As fall approaches, it feels just right to shed some of the unhealthy habits of the busy summer (I know I overindulged) and embarking on this fall transition with a clean slate and clean body sounds perfect!

I learned about October Unprocessed from the blog Eating Rules. I just happened upon their blog from someplace in the twitter world recently...and I love all of the information they provide about food, ingredients, etc in a very easy to understand manner. Interested in joining us on this adventure!?!?!? Learn more here.

Reading the book of the month, Omnivore's Dilemma in correspondence October Unprocessed is a perfect combination. A jolt of food knowledge before heading into the winter will keep us mindful as the holiday's approach!

Share your thoughts on food transitions and if you are exciting about going unprocessed for the month of October! Let's keep each other motivated and strong!