What is a Flexitarian?

"Thou shouldst eat to live; not live to eat" ~ Marcus T. Cicero

  

                                   By Dana R. Arevalo

Hello.  I can't believe it is quickly approaching the end of October. Many are preparing for the upcoming holidays and cold weather.  I, myself, just turned on the heat in my house yesterday.  Please don't make the approaching WINTER an excuse to hide under bulky clothes.  If anything, get yourself in tip-top shape before the New Year. However, keep in mind it will take both DIET and exercise to get you there.  It cannot just be one or the other.  Stop living to EAT...

We have many choices as to what we can feed ourselves and our families.  Our contributing writer, Marc A. tells his story about becoming a flexitarian: 

About 2 years ago, during the summer of 2011, I decided I was going to become a vegetarian. Over the course of those 3 months, I slowly phased out meat adding one extra day without meat every 2 weeks until eventually I was meatless everyday. I must admit, it felt awesome. I felt lighter on my feet. I didn't get that sleepy feeling (known to some as "the itis") when I ate too much and I had a lot of energy. Now I don't really blame the bad feelings solely on the fact that I consumed meat with regularity but more on the level of fattening (or fatteningly prepared, see: deep fried) meats I consumed with regularity. This and a desire to pursue a more plant based lifestyle is what led me to decide to become a vegetarian. Read the full article at Yahoo Voices! Dieting and Weight Loss

Before Marc introduced us to what a flexitarian was in his article, I didn't know the term existed.  According to US News and World Report, a flexitarian is a marriage of two words - flexible and vegetarian.  The best news, for meat lovers, is one does not have to rid meat entirely from their diet.  It is the best of both worlds a plant based diet and an occasional meat.  It seems to broaden ones choices.  I had a childhood friend who became a complete vegetarian for over ten years until her last pregnancy when she decided she needed a hamburger.  If only she knew what a flexitarian was.

Are you a flexitarian?  Please share your story.

As always, thank you for reading. 

References:  The Flexitarian Diet - US News & World Report

I Get so Emotional

"You are what you eat" ~ A. Brillat-Savarin

By Dana R. Arevalo 

I stop and ask myself, what could it be? 
I do not crave vegetables, fruits, or proteins; am I truly hungry? 

I do not want water, nor fruit juice. 
I desire cookies, chocolate, and potato chips; without valid excuse. 

That is not hunger nor nutritious they say. 
I try to run from the kitchen pantry, and remind myself..'you did so well today'. 

I wrestle with emotions as I move to the couch. 
I'm quickly drawn back to the kitchen, I feel like a louse. 

I grab every tempting sweet that I can find. 
The fattening and unhealthy junk that Mom scolds, 'goes straight to your thighs and behind'. 

At this point I feel as if I do not care. 
Chocolate all over my hands and face, please do not stare. 

'I get so emotional' when it comes to food. 
Emotional eating is comforting, secure; it performs miracles to grumpy moods. 

Emotional eating is solely a temporary fix. 
It can be helped if one is willing and able to listen and follow some tips. 

Begin a food diary, it will pose as a good friend. 
The food diary will help determine your triggers and put emotional eating to an end. 

Do not purchase 'junk' from the store. 
Slowly change your eating habits to form a body and healthy nutrition methods to adore. 

Thoughts of 'hunger' must be replaced. 
Find positive activities in order to keep chocolate off your face.

**This poem was written for the 365 Days of Health and Fitness readers!  I also published it on Yahoo Voices:  I Get so Emotional