I Think I'm A Vegan...

"We have to do something," she said.

"What?" I asked, lifting my head from watching a video on the ty2u channel on Youtube.

"Well, we have to change our eating habits." There was conviction in her voice. "Remember the military diet? The South Beach diet? And all those other things we've tried for weight loss?"

"I do," I said hesitantly, not knowing what was coming next.

"We're going on a plant-based diet.  Vegan," she said emphatically.

I was speechless. After a few minutes I managed to mouth the word, "Why?"

"Because we've tried all these other diets and nothing worked completely for weight loss.  But this change is about our health. I just watched this movie, What the Health, on Netflix about the health benefits of a plant-based diet. Not only did the people interviewed lose weight, but their health problems were solved. One lady's sleep apnea disappeared. We have to do it!" She was still standing looking down at me relaxing on the sofa.

I knew very little about vegans. Images of skinny old people in jeans and Birkenstocks picking berries or doing Tai Chi came to mind. I had heard once that vegetarians smelled different from omnivores, so I assumed vegans did also. And there was that image of Mr. Spock on the bridge of the Enterprise saying, " It looks like the Vegans, Captain!"  Maybe that was Vulcans? However, according to those unwritten words in the marriage contract I would comply with her wishes. 

On July 31, 2017, we began our dietary adventure. My dear wife entered the adventure with the assurance and zeal of a sixteenth century explorer.  I, on the other hand, took a more cautious approach. It became my job, or dare I say duty, to rid our refrigerator and pantry of all foodstuffs that were non-plant-based. Those were memorable days of ice cream, bacon, eggs, sausages, burgers and all the foods I now dream of.  But, the last of the animal and  dairy food products were properly disposed of by yours truly. 

Changing one's diet requires a lot of education on food and nutrition. Developing a keen eye for the tiny print on food labels is of paramount importance as well. My wife is a good shopper and cook when it comes to preparing tasty vegan meals. I believe scientists can create a reasonable facsimile of virtually any animal product from either soybeans or chick peas. I dare not ask what additives are used to produce the textures and flavors for this facade, but I am curious how soybeans can be processed to present a very good substitute for chicken in color, texture and taste. 

While finding the proper foods in the grocery store or market is not extremely difficult, eating out is another matter, because vegan menus are rather rare. Some vegetarian restaurants, such as the Laughing Seed in Asheville, NC, have great vegan options on their menus. Regular restaurants have very little vegan fare. Usually they have a salad, and that is about it. Sometimes after you have them hold the cheese, bacon, sour cream and such there is very little left. You also have to be aware that many baked goods have eggs in them.  That is a "no-no" in a vegan diet. 

I don't know why, but I find it difficult to confess that I am a vegan. After all, it is simply a matter of what I choose to eat. Why should I be apologizing for my choice of food? I've gotten used to being stared at when I order my meal.  I expect any time to hear someone say, "If you aren't going to eat that cheese, can I have it?"

I don't think we have received the full benefits of a plant-based diet yet. I do know that my digestion system no longer needs prodding medicinally to work properly, and that I have lost over fifteen pounds. I feel better.  But, my overall objective is to decrease the number of medications I take. And I am confident I will reach that goal.

Yes, I am a vegan!

Living with CHF

It was about fifteen years ago when I saw my doctor, a general practitioner, about my shortness of breath.  I was in my late fifties. I didn't think it was anything serious. After all, Mom and Dad had both lived to the ripe old age of ninety-three. Daddy's major medication when he passed away was a baby aspirin.  But after tests and hospitalization I was diagnosed.  I will always remember when my height challenged Italian doctor spoke in a calm almost undertaker voice and said, "Mr. Tony, many people that gave the same condition as you live long lives with proper medication." I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.  All I knew about the disease was that I saw in the obituaries that people died from it.  Claudette, my wife was more upset than I was. She had consulted "Mr. Google".  According to this electronic fount of knowledge people with CHF only had a life expectancy of three years after diagnosis. She had lost one husband to a heart attack and did not fancy losing another to heart problems. By the way, she was not immediately forthcoming with the knowledge obtained from "Mr. Google." It was several years before I found this out.    How did I react? I thought about my situation while I was looking at the ceiling of a hospital room. (I was hospitalized a few days during my diagnosis.) I took a close look at my mortality. I had a "come to Jesus" moment much like I had once before when I awoke with a cockroach crawling across my face while lying flat of my back on the floor of a somewhat untidy apartment.  But that is another story. I evaluated my relationship with the Almighty and decided I could be a better follower. I decided that Christianity was not a spectator endeavor and became more involved. Secular wise I followed my doctors' instructions explicitly. I exercise daily and try to eliminate stress. Although my heart is very weak, I don't want to do anything to weaken it further. Managing my medications is one of my goals.  I don't like pills. Taking flaxseed and fish oil capsules have eliminated the need for cholesterol medication. Recently, we have converted to a plant-based diet which I believe will improve my health further. 

I think living with a deadly disease  is a combination of spiritual and physical care. About death,  I think the great general of the American Civil War, Thomas J. Jackson, put it best when he said:"My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave."

art work by me, a computer mono print