Triple Frontal Helix

Yesterday I went to Showtime Tattoos in Tuscaloosa, AL and got a Triple Frontal Helix.

I've been going back and forth on getting this...and I finally just did. I was mostly held back by how painful I thought this was going to be...so before I could dwell TOO much on it...I set the coordinates into our new GPS and was able to not think about it until we reached our destination . By the time we got there all I had to do was walk in...and I knew with everyone watching me I wouldn't be able to turn back.

The process was fairly easy...I filled out a release form, I looked at the guys portfolio and certifications, he explained the procedure for me...and then the fun started. Unlike other piercings, the frontal helix is done on such a small area that a clamp is needed to hold the ear in place/still. Honestly, the clamp was the most painful part. He placed the clamp on my ear, told me to breath in and then breath out...and when I did breath out the needle went in. I didn't feel the first piercing. Seriously, I did not feel the needle...only the clamp.

The second hole was the most painful and that was only because the clamp had to cover a part of the first piercing...but the pain only lasted a minute or two and again, I didn't feel the needle. Thankfully, by the time he was ready for the third piercing (the top ball) he didn't need the clamp anymore because the area was a little larger to work with. The third hole was completely painless and quick.

I did feel like a champ at the end though...the guy was telling me that they don't get very many requests for a Triple Frontal Helix because most people only have the balls for one. I guess I have some cojones. Though honestly, once you've had a needle go through your eye (countless times, I might add)...getting your nose or your ear pierced doesn't really seem that bad.

I think the process took all of 20 minutes (from looking at his portfolio, to looking at my wonderful new helix) and it was waaaaaaay less painful than when I had my nose pierced. The only down side is I normally sleep on my right side...and for the next couple of weeks I won't be able to do that. Boo. But this morning my ear feels completely normal and the swelling has all but disappeared. Thank goodness.

In about 6 weeks I will be going back to Showtime to order my permanent jewelry (because as much as think I look cool now, I really don't want these huge, stainless steel balls in my ear permanently) and have it professionally placed (because knowing myself...I would somehow mess up this simple procedure and cause my ear to become infected). This is the look I would ultimately like to have:

I will keep you posted on my wonderful Triple Frontal Helix. <3

Conversations with Carnivores

Sooo...I am starting to notice something...whenever I talk to someone (mostly my mom and a dear friend of mine) about what I eat (aka my delicious vegan food), they always tell me what they are eating too. Which is totally cool, I love swapping food stories...it's just funny HOW people do it now:

Me: So yeah, my tofu actually came out delicious.

Carnivore: You know what I'm eating tonight?

Me: No, what?

Carnivore: Salmon/bbq/chicken nuggets/ice cream..And it's SoOoOoOo good!! Num num num.

Me: Oh, yeah...that does sound really good!

Carnivore: It is really good.It really is.

I love how people think that my conversion to veganism was a response to flavor. Like one morning I woke up and thought, "Ice cream, bacon...SHRIMP?! EWWW ew ew ew!! How can you EAT that?! It tastes so disgusting!!"

LOL

No.

I am a vegan for health reasons. And I like the eco friendly benefits from it as well. But it was not because I'm boycotting flavor. So yes. You don't have to sell me on how yummy cake is. I'm well aware of it. And yes, I miss it. And cheese.

But I still will try to sell you on tofu. Unfair? Maybe. =)

With Disney drawing closer...I'm starting to prepare...I feel like I'm nesting in my preparation. What does that mean? I keep coming across TONS of things I want/need/want for my trip. My favorites (so far):

Carry On Luggage Backpack Duffel Brown and Beige by Alonkka on Etsy

Yellow Hand Painted Carry On with Elephant from BrightWall Studios

The Scuba Hoodie in Paris Pink from Lululemon

The Studio Pant II from Lululemon

The Keen Newport H2 Sandals

Mmm...a girl can dream, right?

Vegan #2

I found this 57 Health Benefits of Going Vegan on a nursing website and I want to pass it on. Basically it is going to list 57 AMAZING benefits going vegan will give you!! The text below was taken from nursingdegree.net.

Vegans are frequently misunderstood as fringe eaters with an unnatural passion for animal rights. While many vegans do feel passionately about animals, its time for others to see that a vegan diet and lifestyle go way beyond animal rights. Following a healthy, balanced vegan diet ensures a host of health benefits as well as prevention of some of the major diseases striking people in North America.

Nutrition

All of the following nutritional benefits come from a vegan diet full of foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, and soy products.

1. Reduced saturated fats. Dairy products and meats contain a large amount of saturated fats. By reducing the amount of saturated fats from your diet, you’ll improve your health tremendously, especially when it comes to cardiovascular health.
2. Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates provide energy for your body. When you don’t have enough carbohydrates, your body will burn muscle tissue.
3. Fiber. A diet high in fiber (as vegan eating usually is) leads to healthier bowel movements. High fiber diets help fight against colon cancer.
4. Magnesium. Aiding in the absorption of calcium, magnesium is an often overlooked vitamin in importance to a healthy diet. Nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens are an excellent source of magnesium.
5. Potassium. Potassium balances water and acidity in your body and stimulates the kidneys to eliminate toxins. Diets high in potassium have shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
6. Folate. This B vitamin is an important part of a healthy diet. Folate helps with cell repair, generating red and white blood cells, and metabolizing amino acids.
7. Antioxidants. For protection against cell damage, antioxidants are one of the best ways to help your body. Many researchers also believe that antioxidants help protect your body against forming some types of cancer.
8. Vitamin C. Besides boosting your immune system, Vitamin C also helps keep your gums healthy and helps your bruises heal faster. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant.
9. Vitamin E. This powerful vitamin has benefits for your heart, skin, eyes, brain, and may even help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. A diet high in grains, nuts, and dark leafy greens is full of Vitamin E.
10. Phytochemicals. Plant-based foods provide phytochemicals, which help to prevent and heal the body from cancer, boost protective enzymes, and work with antioxidants in the body.
11. Protein. That protein is good for your body is no surprise. It may be a surprise to learn that most Americans eat too much protein and in forms such as red meat that are not healthy ways of getting protein. Beans, nuts, peas, lentils, and soy products are all great ways to get the right amount of protein in a vegan diet.

Disease Prevention

Eating a healthy vegan diet has shown to prevent a number of diseases. Find out from the list below what you could potentially avoid just by switching to a healthy, balanced vegan way of eating.

12. Cardiovascular disease. Eating nuts and whole grains, while eliminating dairy products and meat, will improve your cardiovascular health. A British study indicates that a vegan diet reduces the risk for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Vegan diets go far in preventing heart attack and stroke.
13. Cholesterol. Eliminating any food that comes from an animal and you will eliminate all dietary cholesterol from your diet. Your heart will thank you for that.
14. Blood pressure. A diet rich in whole grains is beneficial to your health in many ways, including lowering high blood pressure.
15. Type 2 diabetes. Not only is a vegan diet a weapon against Type 2 diabetes, it is also "easier to follow than the standard diet recommended by the American Diabetic Association." Read more about it here.
16. Prostate cancer. A major study showed that men in the early stages of prostate cancer who switched to a vegan diet either stopped the progress of the cancer or may have even reversed the illness.
17. Colon cancer. Eating a diet consisting of whole grains, along with fresh fruits and vegetables, can greatly reduce your chances of colon cancer.
18. Breast cancer. Countries where women eat very little meat and animal products have a much lower rate of breast cancer than do the women in countries that consume more animal products.
19. Macular degeneration. Diets with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens, carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes, can help prevent the onset of age-related macular degeneration.
20. Cataracts. Much the same way macular degeneration is headed off by a vegan diet, cataracts are also thought to be prevented through the intake of the same fruits and vegetables. Produce high in antioxidants are also believed to help prevent cataracts.
21. Arthritis. Eliminating dairy consumption has long been connected with alleviating arthritis symptoms, but a new study indicates that a combination of gluten-free and vegan diet is very promising for improving the health of those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
22. Osteoporosis. Bone health depends on a balance of neither too much or too little protein, adequate calcium intake, high potassium, and low sodium. With a healthy vegan diet, all four of these points set a perfect scenario for preventing osteoporosis.

Physical Benefits

In addition to good nutrition and disease prevention, eating vegan also provides many physical benefits. Find out how a vegan diet makes your body stronger, more attractive, and more energetic.

23. Body Mass Index. Several population studies show that a diet without meat leads to lower BMIs–usually an indicator of a healthy weight and lack of fat on the body.
24. Weight loss. A healthy weight loss is a typical result of a smart vegan diet. Eating vegan eliminates most of the unhealthy foods that tend to cause weight issues. Read more about weight loss and a vegan diet here.
25. Energy. When following a healthy vegan diet, you will find your energy is much higher. This blog post in Happy Healthy Long Life describes how NFL tight-end Tony Gonzalez started eating vegan and gained energy–while playing football.
26. Healthy skin. The nuts and vitamins A and E from vegetables play a big role in healthy skin, so vegans will usually have good skin health. Many people who switch to a vegan diet will notice a remarkable reduction in blemishes as well.
27. Longer life. Several studies indicate that those following a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle live an average of three to six years longer than those who do not.
28. Body odor. Eliminating dairy and red meat from the diet significantly reduces body odor. Going vegan means smelling better.
29. Bad breath. Vegans frequently experience a reduction in bad breath. Imagine waking up in the morning and not having morning breath.
30. Hair. Many who follow vegan diets report that their hair becomes stronger, has more body, and looks healthier.
31. Nails. Healthy vegan diets are also responsible for much stronger, healthier nails. Nail health is said to be an indicator of overall health.
32. PMS. When switching to a vegan diet, many women tell how PMS symptoms become much less intense or disappear altogether. The elimination of dairy is thought to help with those suffering with PMS.
33. Migraines. Migraine suffers who go on vegan diets frequently discover relief from their migraines. Read more about the food-migraine connection in this article.
34. Allergies. Reduction in dairy, meat, and eggs is often tied to alleviation of allergy symptoms. Many vegans report much fewer runny noses and congestion problems.

Too Much in the American Diet

The typical American diet not only consists of too much food, it also relies on too much of unnecessary food products or toxins. The following list explains how a vegan diet can eliminate these problems.

35. Animal proteins. The average American eats twice as much protein as necessary for a healthy diet and much of that is from red meat. Getting protein from beans and grains is much healthier and reduces the risk for osteoporosis (see above).
36. Cow’s milk dairy. The human body is not designed to digest cow milk and cow milk dairy products, yet the idea of milk being healthy is pushed through advertising. As many as 75% of people in the world may be lactose intolerant and many people suffer from undiagnosed milk allergies or sensitivities. By eliminating cow’s milk from your diet, you are improving your overall health.
37. Eggs. Many nutritionists believe that the number of eggs in the American diet is too high. While sometimes disputed, it has been shown that eggs can raise cholesterol levels.
38. Mercury. Most of the fish and shellfish consumed has mercury in it. While some fish have less than others, it is almost impossible not to be putting mercury in your body when you eat fish.
39. Sugar. Most people have heard that Americans consume way too much sugar. Relying on other sweeteners that are not synthetic, processed, or derived from animal products is a healthier way to eat. Many vegans do not eat processed sugar due to the fact that most of the cane sugar is refined through activated charcoal, most of which comes from animal bones.

Other Benefits

In addition to the health benefits above, following a vegan lifestyle and diet also provides these benefits as well. From helping the environment to avoiding serious bacterial infections, learn other benefits to eating the vegan way below.

40. Animals. Many people begin a vegan diet out of concern for animals. Whether opposed to the conditions of animals intended for food or eating animals in general, going vegan will help your conscience rest easily.
41. Environment. Growing plants takes much fewer resources than growing animals. By eating vegan, you can help reduce the toll on the environment.
42. E. coli. E. coli comes from eating contaminated red meat and is the leading cause of bloody diarrhea. Young children, those with compromised immune systems, and elderly people can become extremely ill or die from E. coli. Eating vegan means completely avoiding the risk of E. coli infection.
43. Salmonella. Another gastrointestinal illness from animal products, salmonella food poisoning is closely related to E. coli. The most frequent way people contract salmonella food poisoning is through contact with raw eggs or raw chicken meat from chickens infected with salmonella. Again, going vegan means eliminating this risk altogether.
44. Mad cow disease. It’s safe to say that most people would want to avoid contracting a fatal, non-treatable disease. One way to ensure you don’t get Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is by not eating animals infected with mad cow disease. While the incidence of mad cow disease is not reportedly so high in North America, it does exist.
45. Global food supply. Feeding grain to animals meant as food sources reduces the amount of food that is available to underdeveloped nations. Many people will go hungry while that same food they could be eating is given to animals raised for slaughter. Eating vegan ensures that you have removed yourself from the participation of this imbalance.
46. Hormone consumption. Eating animals that have been given hormones to speed growth (a common practice in the meat industry) means those hormones go into your body. Not only can this disrupt the natural balance of your hormones, but some of the hormones given to animals have shown to cause tumor growth in humans.
47. Antibiotics. Antibiotics are frequently given to feed animals, which can lead to bacterial resistance. Many of the antibiotics used to treat human infections are also used in feed animals.

Healthy Eating

A vegan diet can be a much healthier way to eat. Find out how to combine the vegan diet with other ways of eating for an even more healthy way to go or discover ways to keep your vegan diet healthy but more convenient with the resources below.

48. Raw. A raw diet lends itself to veganism by the very nature of its design. Find out how to combine live and vegan diets with Raw Inspirations.
49. Organic. Eating organic and vegan is super easy to do. Use some of the recipes from this blog for help with meal ideas. The posts have slowed, but you can always search the archives for some great ideas on how to live and eat organic and vegan.
50. Fat-free. Vegan eating is typically pretty low in fats anyway, but the FatFree Vegan Kitchen shows you how to make some delicious vegan food that is always fat free.
51. Gluten-free. Due to allergies, Celiac’s Disease, or whatever your reason you avoid gluten, find out how to combine the best of gluten-free with vegan cooking in the Gluten-Free Vegan blog.
52. Eating out. Eating out isn’t usually associated with eating healthy, but a vegan diet ensures there will be a lot less of the bad things in the food you choose. Find eating out options around the world for vegans here.
53. Lunch. Maintaining a vegan diet means you are likely to take your lunch more often than most people. Vegan Lunch Box offers recipes, tools, and ideas for carrying great vegan lunches every day.
54. Dinner. Coming up with new dinner ideas is challenging for everyone–regardless of what type of diet you follow. Check out this amazing selection of vegan dinner recipes accompanied with mouth-watering photos of each preparation on Dinner with Dilip.
55. Dessert. While not all the recipes on My Sweet Vegan are for dessert, you will find a large selection of sweet vegan recipes with the most delicious-looking photos.
56. Wine. Pairing vegan food with wine may be challenging for those who rely on the old standard of "white with fish and red with meat." Read this article for ways to compliment your healthy vegan diet with a tasty glass of wine or this blog entry for specific pairings of wine and vegan food.
57. Fun. These ladies know how to kick it with vegan cooking. Post Punk Kitchen offers some great recipes with a ton of fun infused in them. Be sure to go through the archives for more yummy food ideas.

Vegan #1

Hello again. Is it me you're looking for?

If you are here then yes, yes it is. And I'm back! So what's been up with me? Not too much. You know...work, working out, life. What I really want to blog about is...FOOD.

I believe America has a horrible relationship with food. We are ignorant and complacent to what we put in our mouths. We are okay with feeding children happy meals (aka crap) instead of good, wholesome foods (because let's face it, Johnny is picky and won't eat THAT and we don't want Johnny to starve so we'll take him to the drive through). We are okay with obesity. We have come to believe that Big is Beautiful and girl, let's celebrate it! Now, let me make this clear: Anorexia, bulimia, eating disorders are not beautiful either. But Big is NOT Beautiful. You may be a wonderful, loving, beautiful person...but being overweight and unhealthy are not things to celebrate. Eating fruits, veggies, grains, legumes, drinking water, exercising...being healthy...THAT is beautiful, that is something to celebrate, encourage, and promote.

So, how am I trying to live better in my life? Make positive changes in my body?



There are SOOOOOO many misconceptions about veganism.

1.) Foods restrictions: So what can you eat if you don't eat meat...or dairy...? Is that really ALL people eat? Meat and dairy? What about vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, legumes? There are so many MORE foods that I eat than those I don't.

2.) Bland food: Don't you miss cheese? Don't you miss bbq or bacon or anything that tastes yummy? Honestly...yes! I LOOOOOVE me some cheese. I miss it. But you know what? The food I eat is still yummy. It's called herbs. It's called learning to love natural flavors over chemically added flavors. I don't feel like I'm missing out on taste. Neither does my husband. Veganism is a relatively large movement...there are chefs devoted to making great tasting vegan food. It's out there...you just have to be willing to experiment and cook.

3.) Proteins. Ugh. No. I'm not writing about this and where I get it (tofu, quinoa, spinach, mushrooms, legumes...just a few examples). Instead, here are some cool websites regarding protein and vegans: Protein in the Vegan Diet and Where Do Vegans Get Protein? What I will say...you don't need nearly as much protein as the media will have you believe (and gee, I wonder who is backing those statistics??). You only need .36 grams of protein per pound of body weight. That means I only need 46 grams of protein a day.

"The average man in the US eats 175% more protein than the recommended daily allowance and the average woman eats 144% more."
{Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition and Health, 1988}

"Osteoporosis is caused by a number of things, one of the most important being too much dietary protein."
{Science 1986;233, 4763}
"Even when eating 1,400 mg of calcium daily, one can lose up to 4% of his or her bone mass each year while consuming a high-protein diet."
{American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1979;32,4}

"Increasing one's protein intake by 100% may cause calcium loss to double."
{Journal of Nutrition, 1981; 111, 3}

4.) Calcium. If you don't drink milk, where do you get calcium? Easy. Calcium-fortified soy milk and juice, calcium-set tofu, soybeans and soynuts, bok choy, broccoli, collards, Chinese cabbage, kale, mustard greens, okra, grains, beans (other than soybeans), fruits, and vegetables...

5.) Dairy, what's wrong with dairy? What's wrong with lactose based foods? Interesting. Did you know that when our body digests lactose, it is actually forming acids in our bodies that eat away at our bones? Want to know how the process works? Acid and Alkaline Substance in the Diet.

"Consumption of dairy products, particularly at age 20 years, were associated with an increased risk of hip fractures... metabolism of dietary protein causes increased urinary excretion of calcium."
{American Journal of Epidemiology 1994;139}




I have been vegan for close to 2 weeks...and I LOVE it. My body feels fantastic. It really makes me think about the food that I'm eating, how it is processed in my body, how I use it for fuel. It makes me take into account my husband's health too. And you know what? It makes me think about how my loved ones can benefit from adopting a *more* vegan lifestyle.

Do I want you to become a vegan too? Heck yeah, I do! Do I expect you to become a vegan? No. Will I still love you? Absolutely. What I really want people to consider is cutting back on the amount of meat you eat. Cut back on all that dairy. Cut back on all those chemicals and sugars. Maybe try out meatless Mondays...try incorporating 1 or 2 days a week with no meat. Try some ALMOND milk on your cereal or in your coffee (I LOVE this stuff, especially the vanilla one!). Maybe indulge in dessert once a week instead of every night. Find out what all that meat and all that dairy is doing to your body. Find out how it is processed. Find out how it is processed in your body.

Some of my favorite documentaries on this are:
1.) Food Inc.
2.) Forks Over Knives
3.) Killer at Large: Why Obesity is America's Greatest Threat

Seriously. Check these out. They are not just informative but entertaining too. When I say seriously I mean seriously.