Plant Based… Mostly…

My parents were Catholics. This meant that even though I wasn’t really raised in the catholic church, I attended and some things stick, like the rosary and observing Lent. Definition of Lent. : the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter observed by the Roman Catholic, Eastern, and some Protestant churches as a period of penitence and fasting.  Lent for me is observed more as a tradition than for a religious purpose  but each year I find myself “giving up” something.

When we were younger, my sisters and I would fast from sun up to sun down for lent (well, basically 6am to 6pm) but as the years go by and our body changed and medical conditions etc. long fasting periods was nixed and now we just give up a “vice” or two. It’s usually, sugar, carbs, meat, coffee (I’m sensing a pattern here of food being our vices) and for me social media, where I sometimes live (but that’s a whole other blog post)

This year, I decided to go plant-based… mostly… occasionally, I would have diary – this is usually eggs, creamers for my coffee or protein shakes. Sometimes seafood, but for the most part I decided to give up meats, most processed carbs and processed sugar.  This of course was a challenge for me because as many of you know, growing up in Caribbean households, carbs was the staple of EVERY meal! And sugar an addiction.  But I am determined to give it a try.

As we approach the final days of lent, here is what I’ve learned happened to my body with this change….

• I’ve released about 13 pounds.  I’ve been working out consistently for the past 4-5 months or so and eating pretty clean, but the weight was coming off stingily… ounces at a time, for weeks at a time but in the past month and a half, I’ve seen a significant move on the scale. Plant based must have boosted my metabolism because the scale definitely shows it.
• I get less “brain fog” and fatigue. I am much clearer about my thoughts, decisions and goals. I will say meditation each day helps with this also. I am definitely better at handling my emotions and communicating my likes and dislikes clearly.
• I make less mucus – icky subject I know but this was something that happened a lot with me and I was constantly clearing my throat. As I read on this, it seems like this comes from the consumption of dairy and gluten so I will definitely be making sure to have less of that even after lent ends.
• My skin is clearer and cleaner. As someone who suffered with acne and eczema my entire life, I can definitely see a significant change in my skin (I did have a microblading treatment done and has been using the recommended cleaner and toner too so I’m sure this is also a part of it)
• I know this may be TMI for some of you but I feel like it’s important to note. I’ve also seen a significant change in my monthly cycle. Typically I would have two very bad days of back pain, cramping and a flow so severe I can barely get out of bed. I am happy to report that this was not the case for this last cycle.

Plant Based…Mostly… is hard.  I pass the BBQ truck on the corner of the street I live on and still want to run over there when I get a whiff of the smell. Jerk Chicken and Oxtails make me salivary. Publix Subs can break a weak person’s will.  I’m not sure if I can continue plant-based… mostly… forever, but what I know for sure is I will never consume carbs, dairy and even meat to the extent that I did before. As I sit here snacking on shredded carrots…