So... It's January 29 and I am at home again, sitting around, watching TV, and wasting time on Facebook because we have another snow day. This is four in a row, beginning last Friday, and our seventh for the school year, which officially means we will have some make-up time somewhere.
And here's the weird thing: we have officially had eight feet (8 FEET!) of snow so far this winter here in Holland, and most of January has been very cold. Today's high is expected to be around 15 or so, which is like a heat wave compared to the last several days with highs around 6. I have been out moving snow several times, using my giant and wonderful Ariens 9.5 HP monster. None of that is weird, really, is it? No. The weird thing is that, for the first time I can remember, I DON'T MIND THIS.
I hate winter. I really do. I like the seasons and the changes and all of that stuff people talk about, but for the most part I am not a fan of winter. This year I feel different. Oh, I still absolutely hate all of the snow, mud, crap, and other junk that gets tracked into my house, my car, my office, and everywhere I go. And I can't stand scraping and brushing off my car every time I have to go somewhere. My feet being constantly somewhat cold and damp. Fingertips that freeze. Those things, combined with the snow and my usual lack of ability to go anywhere or do anything fun, usually cause me to really not like an entire season. But even that's not really bothering me so much.
So what's different this year? I really don't know. When I make a beer recipe (stay with me here, this is not some strange tangent) and it doesn't turn out quite right, I have to change something. All of the advice regarding this situation is to change only one variable at a time. Too hoppy? Add less hops, but don't increase the malt bill at the same time, right? Otherwise you won't know which one made a bigger difference.
Well, since last January I have lost nearly 25 pounds (half a pound to go as of this morning!!), I have purchased a bicycle that allows me to have fun in the snow (and the mud, the trails, the road...), I have changed to a largely vegan diet, and in general things are going better. Is there any ONE of these things that I can point to and give credit for this? Not really; I changed too many variables.
I think, though, that even though they all add up to a huge positive, since my body feels better due to my diet, that is probably the thing driving the whole thing, you know? And I seriously feel better.
Since November 3, 2013 I have not counted a single calorie, yet have lost nearly ten pounds. Yes, I have been exercising as well, but prior to November there were about 1500 road bike miles under my wheels, so I exercised most of last year. Up to that point I had lost nearly 15 pounds. (Full disclosure - I have never been a "calorie-counter," but I was at least paying attention to what I was eating and trying to do "better.") But since November I have had breakfast smoothies that add up to around 800 calories (yikes!), sometimes adding a couple slices of awesome toast that is somehow flourless (made with sprouted grains) for another 200. Lunch is usually pretty light due to the limited time I have, but there are after-school snacks (I've eaten LOTS of hummus lately, which I have always enjoyed) and dinner, which is frequently not low-cal, either.
Research tells us that our bodies process vegetables, fruits, etc. far more easily and readily than animal products. I have NOT at all been on any kind of "fast" or "liquid diet." I have eaten very well on a diet consisting almost entirely of plant-based food.
I know I promised myself (if I didn't say it in public) that I would not turn into one of those "I quit smoking and am going to judge all of my friends who still do" type of people, but honestly? I really want to... Watching what my students put into their healthy young bodies makes me shudder sometimes, and also makes me realize that God probably makes us all young and healthy so we can survive the abuses we heap upon ourselves! Daughter Erin has joined us on our current detox trip, and I have a student with whom I share recipes, successes, and failures on my vegan quest because she has been vegan for almost two years. Not sure why she made the switch, but she is very happy that she did.
But yeah, when I look at people who are complaining about how awful they feel, or how they have gained weight or have various aches or pains or whatever, I totally want to preach the "no animal products" sermon. I do. But I haven't. Yet...
This is starting to ramble and I have no real end point in mind, and friend Katie (who is an English teacher and claims to read my musings) is probably beginning to critique harshly (especially the overuse of parenthetical statements in this post), so I will sign off. Next week is Week 3 of detox - juice/raw foods week. My goal is to do 3-4 days; last time I made it almost 3 before I had to have something warm and chewy :) I will keep you posted. Until then, get out and enjoy the WINTER!!
