Now,  for the uninformed, which I was until I perused said sites, there is a difference between a vegetarian and a vegan.  Who knew?  For years I thought that vegan was just “short” for vegetarian!

A vegetarian is someone who abstains from eating meat. A vegan takes that idea a step further and refuses to eat meat or any products from animals, including eggs, milk, cheese and even honey.

The vegan, or at least what I’ll call an “ethical” vegan, chooses not to contribute to the horrific (and they are) practices of meat producers. The unnatural way that the animals are treated on large industrial farms is a travesty. For example, chickens are kept from pursuing their natural urge to peck by having their beaks cut short, and cows are not allowed to roam freely as they have in times past.

It is believed that cow’s milk is intended for baby cows, not baby (or grown) humans!  I think it’s an interesting thought, and given the years of “training” I’ve received about the so called “virtues” of consuming milk, I have to wonder if the researchers who discount said “virtues” don’t have it right.  After all, the lovely posters that were plastered all over the school lunchroom were created by the USDA, which has a conflict of interest as far as I’m concerned. They are supposed to represent agricultural interests AND consumers?  What if the interest of the two are not the same?

Some people choose to become vegan because of their health. When they start eating a plant based diet, they start to realize how much better they feel, and the energy that they gain, not to mention the diseases that they avoid.

A large study, conducted on peoples living in China, has indicated that the more meat products in an individual’s diet, the more likely they are to contract chronic diseases.

If you have been feeling out of sorts lately, or you want to do everything within your power to avoid getting sick, then check out T. Colin Campbell’s book, The China Study, which tells all about this awesome research!

Girls, you can say what you want about the Miss America Pageant, but it is helping Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron with her educational opportunities. I don’t know how much $50,000.00 is going to put a dent in the high cost of higher education, but at least it will help!

While all of us can’t be Miss America, we can feel like her when we put our health at the top of our to do list. We get so busy, especially if we are moms, taking care of others in our lives. This is a great privilege, but it also takes a lot from us.

I know this is advice that we have all heard a million times, but it is more difficult to implement than it is to simply agree with.  But we have to get to the point where we actually believe it, deep down, rather than just intellectually.

We also have to have a plan. One of my favorite, much used sayings is “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” This is so true, especially in my life. If I don’t have a plan, written down, I’ll spin my wheels all day long and accomplish little.

So with that thought in mind, the following ideas will help you get started on your “life improvement” plan.

1.  Start adding vegetables and fruits to each and every meal.  Eat them first, before you consume anything else.  By doing this, you will easily begin the process of eating a healthier diet.

2.  For each non-water beverage you consume, add a glass of water. If you hate the taste of water, add a lemon or lime to it, and you will gradually grow to crave it.

3.  Start a journal. You can speak into a recorder, blog online, or the old fashioned way, pen and paper. It doesn’t have to be every day, but be consistent. You will be surprised at what happens.

That’s it. Three simple things to get you started. You can add more if you like, but I prefer to keep it simple.