The start of a fresh new calendar year seems to be a good time to reflect on the past, observe where we are in the present and set new intentions for the future. I spent the first day of 2011 alone, quietly meditating and writing as I prepared to set my intentions for the year.
The universe always seems to be telling us what to do next... if we can just get quiet enough to listen! Today when I sat down and listened, I found that a recent spurt of rewarding food journaling AND a desire to get back to writing and publishing regularly AND a new photodiet application I came across after my iPhone crashed all combined and led me to the inspiration for a food blog: My Food Evolution.
The idea is simple: I photograph and publish everything I eat for a year. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Drinks... EVERYTHING. I've recently transitioned to a vegan diet and am still learning how to shop, cook, eat and live VEGAN. A food journal helps me to look back and see patterns of eating to recognize things I might be missing in my diet, and it brings a much greater overall awareness to what I consume. (Funny how I tend to think to myself "Well, maybe this specific meal isn't so healthy but I usually eat REALLY WELL, so that's okay" but then when I look over the whole diet added up on paper sometimes I think more like "Uh-oh. Things are not quite as good as I thought") Perception vs Reality, hmmm...
In addition to the food diary, I'll also include weekly updates of where I am in the world and/or what I'm doing and/or how I'm feeling and/or what is inspiring me and/or what I may be struggling with... you get the idea. Add some recipes, some photos, some reader feedback, and there you have it: My Food Evolution.
I intend that this experiment in sharing and growing food awareness will lead me to learn more about diet and nutrition in 2011, and to keep me transitioning toward food choices that are optimally beneficial for me and for the planet. I hope it will inspire and help others to learn too.
Peace and Love and Let's Eat ;)
Shelley
Shelley..I am enjoying following your adventure. I have thought many times about becoming a vegetarian, but am not sure its practical with m meat eating hubby!
ReplyDeletealoha anne! going fully vegan, or even vegetarian, can seem like a drastic change for some. i didn't go from meat-eater to vegan overnight; my diet has been slowly evolving for years! i started with the simple idea of consciously eating less meat-based meals, and i think this is a healthy change that everyone can make. commit to making a veg meal once or twice a week and see what happens! check back in a week, a month, a year, a decade... who knows where a small shift can end up taking you! there's more and more compelling information available every day about the benefits of a plant-based diet and the harmful effects of animal consumption, so this is a great time to start making a shift to eating more healthy, whole, plant-based foods every day. enjoy!
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