No Dairy...And No Cheese...It's Not What You Think!

So as many of you know, my loving doctor informed me almost three months ago that I could no longer have dairy. In fact, her words were, "you can longer have cheese, tomatoes, and peppers." To which I replied, "I literally eat cheese, tomatoes, and peppers...EVERYDAY!" Back to my current story. I have not had any dairy for nearly three months now. I've switched from half and half to soy creamer...which now I actually prefer. I've switched my whole milk for almond milk...which is also very good. For the past month and a half...I've also been meat free...vegetarian! Believe it or not, I really don't miss the meat, or most of the dairy...what I miss most is the CHEESE! I LOVE CHEESE. The picture is one of my all-time favorite, Asiago Fresco. I was at the store tonight and I bought some olives. They were right next to the cheese. My mouth started watering...and then I came to a yoga realization. Thus the connection to my yoga journey!

I'm thinking about asking for my money back because I really don't think the students are really all "fully present." Even though I'm not a fully trained yoga instructor yet...I know when a class is present and when they are not!

This pose is called Ananda Balasana, aka: Happy Baby. I can not fully express this pose because I have tightness in my hip flexors and my lower back won't soften to the floor. Thus, I'm not a good barometer for being "fully present." When students are "fully present" in this pose, (here comes the dairy connection) they more often than not...cut the cheese! Yep, that's right, fart, toot, pass gas, float...whatever you call it...IT HAPPENS IN HAPPY BABY! Except in my Yoga Teacher Training class right now. Come on...we've been here for two and a half weeks. Let it go! It's totally natural and it's kind of like burping after a good meal. It is MAD PROPS to the instructor. Show some love. I'm kind of sad! Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the class in some kind of solidarity has decided since I can't have cheese, they won't cut the cheese. If that's the case...then this is the best class EVER!

Why Yoga?

Contrary to want many might thing, I'm not subjecting my body to a vegetarian diet and immersing myself into a 30-day yoga intensive to prove I'm better than anyone. Yoga for me has always been personal. This latest journey is no different. I practice yoga to quite, balance, and calm my mind. The physical aspects of yoga are a definite plus too~! However, its my mind that benefits the most. It brings me much pain to admit, my mind works differently than most. I prefer to think I have a gift..and often times it is a gift...but sometimes it is a HUGE hindrance. My mind is constantly on the run and yoga slows it to a jog and sometimes to a walk. Additionally, my ADD often makes me a crappy husband, father, and friend...none brings me joy!

I'm a foodie. I LOVE TO EAT! Many of you know my affinity for the crisp and salty nectar of bacon! Over the years I have reduced the amount of bacon I eat. For the past seven months, I've even reduced the amount of meat I eat...at the same time I've increased the quality of meat I eat. So for me to give up bacon...and meat, you know this is a huge undertaking for me. The elimination of meat from my diet is more about controlling my mind than any specific health benefit.

I believe, if I can go one, two, three months...or longer without meat...I can do anything else I want with my mind. Its an additional discipline for my mind.

My overall goal is to translate the clarity and awareness my current journey brings me to improve my personal shortcomings. (Here we go!)

Vegetarian Day 10

TODAY is day 10...but don't call me a Vegetarian just yet! To be honest, the hardest part so far is thinking of things to cook. I have no training and no cookbook. I've just been going to Trader Joes and buying things that interest me. Last night's meal...probably the best so far. Veggie Fajitas, sans tomato, cheese, and salsa. It wasn't tough watching the rest of my family eating meat...it was tough not putting cheese and salsa on mine. Maybe...I'm a condiment man?

Add to this vegetarian diet with the fact that it has been almost a month since I've had any dairy...well I did have a little sour cream when I was in California. It has also been about a month since I've had tomatoes and peppers. My doctor has put me on a restrictive diet! No nightshade vegetables. This has proven to be tougher than no meat. For the first two-weeks I was eating potato, I didn't read all of the info. My bad!

Funny thing is...I don't feel any differently. With the exception of being gassy! The doctor says it can take up to a month to feel anything. So...I wait. The good news is I'm off to Frog Lotus Yoga at the end of the month. There I will have a vegetarian chef cooking two vegetarian meals a day. Plus, yoga two times a day. I should feel something then.

The transition has been pretty easy. Hardest parts are: lunch at work, and coming up with something to cook. I've enjoyed tofu several times in various forms. Friends have told me I can get tofu bacon, which sounds interesting and disgusting at the same time. (It also might be sac-religious!) I made quinoa again with little success. Every time I make it...it is either over cooked or undercooked. This is a very earthy...and hardy meal. Portabella mushrooms have also become a staple in this 10-day stretch.


I still don't know if I will become a vegetarian, or if I will simply be more conscious of what I eat.

On Becoming a Vegetarian

SO! When I attend my Yoga Teacher Training in August, I will be on a complete Ayurvedic diet. This is a 100% vegetarian diet. The teacher suggested I begin to prepare by reducing the amount of meat I eat. Lucky for me...I've already been doing this. Even luckier for me...my doctor has put me on a super restrictive diet. (for various reasons...not discussed here.) One of the things I can no longer eat is...DIARY!. Yep...this means NO CHEESE for me. So, I've switched over to Soy. Guess what??? It's not too bad. I've been eating the Trader Joe's Soy Chorizo for awhile now and almost prefer it over the real deal. I switched to Soy Creamer...same thing. I think I like it better than half and half.

The other day I picked up Trader Joe's Italian Sausage-Less Sausage. Wasn't sure what I was going to make with it. Ended up making Tuscan Soup. This is made with sausage, russet potato, kale, and heavy cream. I substituted the soy sausage and soy creamer...IT WAS WONDERFUL! The soy creamer broke a little, but it had great taste. FYI the faux-sausage tasted fantastic. I highly recommend it.

FYI...there is no reason (as of now) for you to worry about me replacing my loving bacon!