So a few years ago, around this time of year, i decided to bite the bullet and go vegan, raw. I was a vegetarian for about five years and really the only thing keeping me from being vegan, was my love of cheese. Since those days, my love affair with this dairy goodness has really faded. Its just not that big of an issue anymore. I am also more aware of how dairy affects our bodies, causes inflammation, etc.

When I went vegan/raw a few years ago, I loved it. I was the smallest I've been since high school, my skin glowed and I just felt whole. However, that summer in the midst of marathon training, I found out that I was severely anemic. Anemia is something I've always struggled with because I've never enjoyed meat. But, this time it was especially bad.

I resigned myself to incorporate turkey into my diet and maybe an organic hamburger once or twice a year. My levels came up but I was also taking a prescription dose of iron three times a day.

That being said, I find myself longing to return to my previous health choice.  While I've still eaten 90% whole, organic foods, I just don't feel as good as I did when I went vegan/raw. Maybe this is all in my head. I guess we will never know. As you know, this blog is about becoming allpointswhole and one of my passions is discovering ways to better myself and my environment around me. And I think I better understand how to make sure I am getting enough iron in my diet. With as much working out as I do, that has been my biggest concern. But there are enough vegan athletes out there so I know its possible. I picked up some hemp protein powder, spirulina, chia seeds and flax seed for my smoothies.

I will be posting under Sowing My Wild Oats more as I go along and appreciate any feedback or recipe ideas. Going vegan/raw does not mean that I will not listen to my body and in a rare instance, if it craves a burger or ice cream that I will not have it. However, those times are rare and honestly, I would rather have a vegan cupcake:)

Today, i made a trip to my favorite store Whole foods. I feel like I am walking into the pearly gates when I enter that store. I picked up some things I was out of and enjoyed a massaged kale salad. Yum! (I also picked up some dates and figs. Excited about that!) I am trying a few seeded bars as well that are raw. I've eaten these in the past, but am looking forward to trying new flavors.

Tonight, I am going to make avocado soft serve mint ice cream in honor of my St, Patricks race this weekend. I will be sure and post the recipe along with pics!

Have you ever considered going vegan/raw? If so, what has your experience been?

Do you ever reach for a cupcake when you are sad or stressed out? How about a bag of baked chips or a box of Honey nut cheerios? Of course, I am not saying I do this...or that I did it this week, I just want to know your failures:)

In all seriousness, I had my weigh in today and what I knew deep down was inevitable, i went up 1.8 pounds. I am pretty sure it's because I not only consumed the above, but ate more less calories/processed foods this past week. The week before we ate out about six times. So, really this should be no surprise. It's still very disappointing and of course, I just want to throw in the towel and eat cake into an oblivion.

But, alas, I know that I truly love healthy, whole foods and in order to feel my best, its what I have to consume. I've been consistently eating, real, organic whole foods for over three years now and putting these foods into pieces of artwork are really a passion of mine.

So, I have to remind myself that I am not on a diet and I am not restricting myself. This only leads to obsessing. In reality. this is how I would eat anyway...just less portions now.

Being the astute problem solver I am, I did what any logical person would do. I took myself and my toddler in pajamas to Kroger...okay, I had on scrubs so technically I was okay. My toddler had on a raincoat that covered his mom's lack of impulse control.

I stocked up on organic pears, apples, bananas, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, water, clementines, veggie soups, my boars head turkey, etc. I am praying that I can find my center this week and stop using food to handle stress or stuff emotions.



So, I ask again, do you stress/emotional eat? I think this is something I've always struggled with and to me it is just as unhealthy as looking to pills, tv, cigarettes, alochol, etc to fill an emptiness that is pervasive. Its the same with exercise. Since college, I have not used exercise as a way to control weight. I do it because I love it, its a passion, and lets face it-endorphins are awesome. When I find myself wanting to exercise to control weight, I check myself before I wreck myself..ya feel me?

How do you handle those times of reaching for chips instead of looking to God or that desire for wholeness?

It's fall and all you want to do is eat sugar and carbs. You are more snug in your house. And you begin the cycle of hibernating.....but not before eating 35 of Summer's Whoopie Pies.Here is a meal I made this week. Today will be my third day eating it.. Guess I got my money's worth.

You can find the original post. here

Since it was so epic-ha I said epic, I am so cool

Anyway, I was looking something to make and decided to add a little comfort to it. I still used basically the same recipe as last time. But this time, I used good ol Southern baked beans with it. My friend had given me some baked beans. The big can. So I put brown sugar, ketchup,mustard, chopped onion and garlic seasoning. That's the real way to eat beans. Fo sho!

I lined the baking ban with olive oil and the beans. Then, I took organic chicken strips and rubbed sea salt on them. Then, I took nitrate free bacon and wrapped each strip.

Here's where the good part is.

I bury the strips in the sweet goodness of what is baked beans and put it in the oven.

I cooked covered for 30 minutes at 400 for 30 minutes. I wasnt sure if I was supposed to so I just did it because I've seen my mom do it. I dont' really know the details to cooking. It is more of an artistic outlet for me. So it is never specific. I just go with the flow.

It wasn't impressive when I uncovered it at 30 min. So I took off the covering and cooked for another hour.

Yes, I like my bacon crispy but it also makes the chicken fall apart.

My husband even liked it. But because he didn't get seconds, I know the real deal. You can't fool me!

So, enter I've eating it for three days. Cool with me.

So, its still somewhat healthy. Not an everyday meal like I've done it. Moderation is good. I think it can be determined healthy.


I guess you can take the girl out of the South but you can't take the Southern out of the girl.

*Picture quality does not show yumminess. Really need a good camera. Droid just doesn't do my art justice.