~ Vegan love ~

[aurorabunny]

*swoon*  I'm in love.

I can't BELIEVE the benefits that my family and I are reaping from our vegan lifestyles.  This isn't a preachy "you should go vegan or you suck" journal (so don't try to start drama with me or I'll have to call Mr.T ), I am just so happy that I had to write about it.  I never saw any of these results from being just a vegetarian. 

** I've had debilitating IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) since I was a toddler.  I've spent many of my days and nights out of my entire life curled up in a ball crying from stomach pain and trying not to pass out, or shut in the bathroom for hours at a time.  I tried EVERYTHING to help it...special diets, medications, probiotics, you name it.  Nothing helped.  Since I went vegan?  GONE.  It's like a miracle.  Now when I say I'm having my IBS what I really mean is I have some tummy rumbles (no pain) and that even is a very rare occurrence.

** A similar pain story with my periods.  Usually my cramps shut me down for at least two days out of the month.  The cramps are still there, but barely.  The pain is so lessened that I can't believe it.  I chalk it up to not ingesting any more weird icky hormones. 

** I don't smell anymore, EVER.  Not when I sweat, never.  My hair and skin stopped getting so greasy too.  I don't even wear deodorant anymore.  I know you're sitting there thinking "That poor girl thinks she doesn't smell and she's walking around like a stank ass with no deodorant.." but honest to goodness, you can ask anyone who is around me.  There's no toxins coming out of my body anymore. 

** We have discovered so many amazing foods that we didn't even know existed.  Making new recipes is so much fun. 

** My sons "seasonal allergies" have improved tremendously as have his eczema and tummy problems. 

** Ever suffer from constipation?  You won't as a vegan.  Promise!

My little boy loves animals SO SO much.  I can't wait for the day when I get to tell him that animals are our friends, and we don't eat our friends or exploit them either.  I know vegan-ism isn't for everyone.  I just can't believe the differences in our lives.  I feel better than I ever have, EVER!  It may have taken me a while to get here but finally I love what I eat and it loves me back. :)

[Mrs.Killer09]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 2:56 AM

you should check out this book called Hot Damn and Hell Yeah/ Dirty South Cookbook, it's two books in one and they have some amazing recipes in there and if you have a sweet tooth, go for vegan cupcakes take over the world.

[Mrs.Killer09]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 2:56 AM

don't feed the bears is a good book too

[aurorabunny]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 2:59 AM

I'm trying so hard NOT to buy Vegan Cupcakes take over the world...because I will bake them all and gain a bunch of weight. Jellyphish is not making it easy on me. ;)  Thanks for the book suggestions!

(Original Poster)

[Mrs.Killer09]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 3:11 AM

lol not a problem, you also might want to check out the garden of vegan, vegan with a vengeance, and the veganomicon.

[sugarmagnolia1]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 6:28 AM

great post! Eat more garlic and then you will smell.......

Vegan <3

[DestMasters]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 9:06 AM

Love the post Mama! Thanks for sharing!

[Kodeekins]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 10:44 AM

I was a lot healthier and less sweaty as a vegetarian as well, though horribly underweight. I weighed 98 pounds until I started eating meat. At 110 I finally don't look anorexic anymore, or have as many bad headaches from being underweight.

[used2chaos]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 11:23 AM

Man I LOVE reading your journals!!  I am actually considering trying to get more vegetarian things into our diet.  I hate veggies, so it's a challenge.  Maybe you can help me, I want to try making a meal with tofu that everyone will eat. 

[Kodeekins]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 11:35 AM

You can make tons of pasta meals minus the meat and cheese, using wheat noodles, and voila, you have a vegan meal! My favorite is satueed peppers (a red, green, and yellow one) satueed with minced garlic and olive oil, and poured on top of whole wheat spaghetti.

[jellyphish]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 11:38 AM

Yay!  I can TOTALLY relate to this!  Especially the part about disappearing debilitating cramps.  Jeezy Creezy! 

The Hubs used to get twice even thrice WEEKLY horrible migraines.  The first year we went vegan he had maybe three total (all year), and now I can't even remember the last time he's had one!

Oh, and sorry about the cupcakes.  But you know, if you use apple sauce instead of oil or butter and stevia or agave instead of sugar you should be fine.  There's even a recipe for low-fat sexy berry cupcakes.
Ok sorry, still not helping, huh?

So, uh... yay for you and your family!  Food is soo yummy now, isn't it?!