Okay, okay, I get it.  Make a list and check it twice.  Eliminate animal products - meat, fish, chicken, milk, eggs, cheese, yogurt...ice cream? I have an issue with that, of course they do make soy ice cream and milk and yogurt, but eggs? Fish? Chicken?  These are all good for me or maybe they're just all good --yummy.  Either way, I wasn't prepared to give up ALL animal products and I know me, I will give it up for a day and then take three steps back like an animal whose afraid this will be his last meal.

A little more reading on the subject and I learned that there is such a thing as a Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian (LOV).  LOVs eat eggs and dairy, there is also a pescatarian and they eat fish.  OK this makes me happy.  

My experience as a LOV/pescatarian was fantastic.  I learned that....

1. I don't have to jump in with both feet, changing one meal a day is a better way

2. finding recipes in advanced makes it easier to stick to the meal plan

3. cleaning out the pantry and fridge before starting ANY new meal plan is most important

4. you can discover a million ways to cook vegetables and still please the palate

5. there's no rule saying you have to cook your vegetables

6. dark green and dark red are the best colors to look for when selecting fruits and vegetables

I also included more whole grain foods, brown rice, a lot less added sugar then usual.. I think my usual is about 3 teaspoons a day with my morning coffee.  We'll talk about eliminating the coffee altogether, but one addiction at a time please.

In my short experience I felt like I went through a detox program. The bloating, fatigue, and fuzzy brain syndrome all gone, in one week. I am looking forward to another week of trials and this will be a real trial because it's Thanksgiving week and come on, you know what is like here in the States - lots ofcarbs, lots of dessert, and appetizers. I will be challenging but I will give it my best shot.

Time to share the love - click here to read the rest of the post.