My Name is Stephanie, and I'm a Vegetarian

I am observing my first year of no meat/fish today! In response to continued debates about vegetarianism/veganism, "sustainable meat", etc. what it boils down to is:

people must educate themselves (and allow others to share with them!) on the food industry and how your food really came to be on your plate, then make decisions for yourself. That goes for what kinds of food vegetarians and vegans are eating, as well. It's not a good look for me to be eating soy all the time (for the record, I eat a ton of beans).

For me, it's about morals, not just ethics. If I owned livestock, I would never do to them what factory farming does to them, just for the sake of a cheap meal. I miss barbecue and steak so much! But I choose not to ignore the reality of what I've learned, the information I chose to research for myself.

I learned from documentaries, articles, and and a book by Jonathan Safran Foer called "Eating Animals". Yes, you have heard of him, he wrote "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" which has been made into movie starring Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks. Two very different books but both of them give a big dose of reality, a bit of sadness, and a bit of humor.

I honestly never thought I'd be vegetarian but I suppose I always knew I could be. I never cooked meat or fish at home even though I ordered it out frequently (solution: cook more at home). I already ate really healthy and incorporated non-meat protein into my diet to help my workouts (solution: keep eating those walnuts and yogurt). I miss meat from time to time but honestly, I am super happy.

Results thus far:

1) I know how to cook a lot more, which I almost hesitate to say because it's kind of embarrassing. But it's also nice because it's a kind of creative outlet. I try different ingredients together to see what I like, try different recipes, and I think it's good for my brain and mental health. It's also a way to try different foods which give me nutrients I need (or eat a lot of the same ones in different varieties - I eat a ton of burrito-style food). One change that must be made is setting aside time to cook. It can be done but you have to make the effort.

2) Physically I'm very healthy, which my bloodwork confirmed. It was a really easy transition way back at the beginning because I really looked into which types of foods would give me nutrients many people only get from eating meat (solution: visit your friend, Google). But that's on top of working out 3 times a week, not smoking, only have a few drinks each week, and managing my spiritual and mental health (to put it simply).

3) I think I eat a lot less carbs because I rarely eat sandwiches or subs. Which is cool.

4) I think I weigh the same so that's fine. I really like to eat so it's not like my calorie intake is necessarily lower (I didn't keep track). Plus I weight-train some so I like to think I have huge, heavy muscles like The Hulk.

5) I am a lot more mindful about everything I eat/drink. I'm not perfect but I definitely try harder and I'm honest with myself. I eat fewer products with corn syrup, which really just cuts out unneeded sweets. Plus my New Year's Resolution is to stop drinking soda. Which is kinda tough 'cause I love it, but I haven't said "no" to tea or coffee so it's going ok.

6) I still eat foods with eggs in them, which is my downfall. I really want to cut out eggs as much as possible unless I get them [almost literally] from the backyard they live in. I got 6 eggs every 2 weeks from my coworker who raises a few chickens (one is named Ricky Lake) at their home. Circumstances have changed that so that' s not really an option anymore. I rarely buy them (I felt horrible the two times I bought them in the store) but I'd like to find a local chicken to get them from, if possible. Cutting them out in terms of not buying food (in-store or at a restaurant) containing eggs is really the biggest challenge.

7) My fondness for local foods is even greater which I think will continue to impact my life as I hope to have a garden like my parents and grandparents have had, plan to contribute to local business, etc.

8) My hunk of a boyfriend became vegetarian soon after we started dating! A testament to the kind of man he is, not so much to my eating habits.

9) I'm more of a country girl than I used to be (or thought I was) because I read about agriculture...you should see my face right now because I still don't believe it sometimes.

Some interesting resources:
Women, Food, and Agriculture Network
Grist - Environmental News, Advice, Commentary
Eating Animals, the book
Plate to Politics
Edible Radio

Things for Barack to Consider: Sex Education

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28415602/

New research provides information that adolescents who take an abstinence pledge as part of a program are just as likely to have premarital sex AND they are LESS likely to use protection.

I, of course, support abstinence. It is still, and as far as I can tell, the only form of 100% always safe sex.

However, especially after this study, I cannot support abstinence-only programs. To me, NOT stressing the importance of protection could be just as detrimental as no sex ed whatsoever.

Our country is supposed to be one of the greatest in the world. Let's try our best to act like it.

English, the Greatest Language in the World

During a segment on Lou Dobbs, Governor Matt Blunt, (R) Missouri, on a state constitutional amendment making English the language of all governmental meetings:
“The public discussion and public votes, those will be in English, that’s the language that Americans use to follow democracy.”

Ok, I know it makes sense to use English in government because that’s how we’ve been doing things for generations. But following democracy does not become like climbing Mt. Everest just because of a language barrier. The Governor said there were reports that council meetings were being held in another language. Oooook. Evidence? Be more descriptive? Until proven otherwise, I’m assuming he means that people were speaking in Spanish. Most people can at least say “hello” and “yes” or “no” in that language. Spanish-speakers have lived and worked in this country for a very long time and hearing said language should not provoke intimidation. I also have a problem even believing that a legitimate, open town council meeting was being held entirely in any language but English. Perhaps there was a portion held in another language so the hard workers of the town (citizens or not) who are employed by American citizens could understand what was going on. That may not have been the case, it could have been any other language(s), but I can’t help but imagine.

Now, to his credit, the Governor did say that making English the official language of the state did not mean that people could not have translators. But still, as smoothly as the Governor spoke and composed himself (unlike his presidential candidate) I think the amendment a bit unnecessary and boorish. I have no problem with Missouri conducting all governmental meetings in English, I wouldn’t assume otherwise, but worrying that democracy will not be followed because another language is being spoken, well, unfortunately for the Governor, the best word I can use to describe such an amendment is mal-educado.

No Reservations

Anthony Bourdain:

Chef turned celebrity-chef who gives it his all not to make fun of Rachael Ray and Rocco DiSpirito every 15 minutes and even then it’s just not good enough. Host of the Travel Channel show “No Reservations” which I can’t get enough of. In a nutshell he travels around the world [without having to learn a lick of the language spoken in that country] and meets with in-country hosts to try the regions best food. The one-hour show is a fun and enlightening view of places I have never seen and may very well never see in person. Most of all, it’s about food and travel, perfect combo.

Bourdain appreciates eating barefoot almost as much as he loves eating pig and drinking beer. As strange and true as this description is, it’s not even appropriate to share the kinds of things I would sacrifice for that man. Of course I’m obsessed with him; he’s the older guy, the restaurant-type, the writer, the world-traveler. And most of all, the bad boy. Alas, the bad boy. Like a Batman band-aid, it seems so bad-ass, not matter how old you are, but then, of course, it doesn’t last and disappoints you and you realize you should’ve ripped it off and tossed it into the bottom of the dumpster yesterday. And even though we see this coming, it’s as though we feel we NEED to make this bad decision to rack up some life experience. We flip the switch of common sense to “OFF” and realize when it’s too late that we’ve totally cut the power! Or, so maybe it’s just me.

Or WAS me. Not anymore, I’ve racked up enough “life experience” in that department and my diploma is signed by the Deans, me and God. I have received many compliments from girl friends of mine who say they wish they could be straight-forward like I am, or not be bothered by certain things, or just tell a guy what I think. And I appreciate that, because I’m glad the girls who care about me approve of such qualities. But those are not easy to always uphold and even a girl who is straight-forward still WISHES the guy would call her. Yup, that jerk who screwed her over 2 weeks ago and then again last week. But temporary is not worth your time. YOU are worth your time. And someone else will be, the right person. Someone who will understand that he must EARN it and who will know that all relationships are partnerships.

GUYS: ALL relationships are PARTNERSHIPS. That includes friendships. I can name a handful of guys who I was once great friends with whose names now make me roll my eyes. Not [necessarily] because they met some other girl (or got married), but because I felt disrespected on a constant basis, even at a friendship level. My current incessant distrust of men stems from friendships with males going sour. It goes beyond that but roots grow deep and it takes more than one person to get to the bottom.

I don’t hate men and I love all my friends, male and female. But what I used to take with a grain of salt, I now take with a tablespoon. Or a whole sack. Or two.

Oh, you thought this would be about some celebrity-chef obsession? So did I…

Music Rave Numero Uno

Even though I wasn't supposed to eat it (story for another day), my fortune cookie last week said "Your love of music will be an important part of your life." My last fortune before that said "You will have a party," so how'm I gonna be skeptical? But I already agree, music is a big deal in my life. If you know me, you know my car stereo is gonna be playing R&B/hip-hop or something in Spanish 99% of the time. And if you really know me, you know I love me some mid to late 90's music. I've got to MOVE, or I at least have to FEEL it. You bring an artist to me and I promise I will not diss it before I hear it. But that's just FYI, I digress. I like sharing music that I love and after doing so and having discussion about it with friends recently, this is just to share about an artist I love and to share some tracks I love.

A-a-l-i-y-a-h.
Fly female R&B artist, cool demeanor, always positive (check out interviews and videos), determined, and accomplished. Died young, 22 years old, in an accident no one could have predicted, and with a life that only continues to bring positivity to others. I would never ask for more in an artist. I don't have "idols" but she's the closest I would have in my past, besides the elementary days of falling in love with JTT and Brad Renfro (RIP). I could talk about her and that style of music for days. I could also get into deeper thoughts and emotions regarding her music and her death but a public blog is not my way of doing that. Last thing is that I think it's important to note that much of her music that I love was produced by Timbaland. But anyways, here are some tracks I like, from her as well as some other artists. ENJOI:

One in a Million Album:
"Hot Like Fire"
"One in a Million"
"A Girl Like You"
"Choosey Lover (Old School/New School)"
"Got to Give It Up"
"Everythings Gonna Be Alright"
"Ladies in da House"

Self-Titled Album, Aaliyah:
"We Need a Resolution"
"Rock the Boat"
"More Than a Woman"
"I Care 4 U"

Others:
"Are You That Somebody?"
"Up Jumps da Boogie" - Timbaland, Magoo, Missy, Aaliyah
"Make It Hot" - Nicole Wray and Missy Elliott


...more music to come