Welcome
Thanks for checking out Lizz Delicious! If you would like to learn more about me and my path to veganism, please read further. If you are more interested in my working with me, please visit my Professional Services page.My Story
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| Let's dig into this awesome piece o' pie! |
Like many young vegetarians, I stopped eating meat when I realized that I was responsible for hurting animals through the food I consumed. I couldn't take part in that anymore. The obvious solution was to stop. And that’s what I did. I had a supportive family. Everything worked out just fine.
But I had never really been a health food fanatic. Much of my diet consisted of processed foods. I lived off of veggie burgers, frozen meals, and protein bars through most of my twenties. I had good intentions but no concept of nutrition. Being young, I didn't suffer much from not eating healthy. Then I turned 30! Ugh!
I started my food blog during this time. I wanted to show the world that making vegan food isn’t hard. If eating vegan is easy, more people will do it. My focus was just on the animals and less on being healthy. All projects evolve, though, and that’s what happened with Lizz Delicious. Here’s why.
I first realized something needed to change when I still worked in retail. As a manager, I spent nearly all of my time at work on my feet. I walked a ton and was tired all of the time. Because I was always at work, I ate the same convenience foods I always did. I worked, I slept, I ate as much as I could, and the cycle repeated itself. I felt horrible, I looked sickly, and I just couldn't take it anymore.
I assumed that the biggest contributor to my ails was my job. I fought hard and relentlessly and finally landed myself a position at a desk. Score! The only problem was that my health and energy levels did not improve. In fact, they got even worse. I needed a coffee every morning for some energy. I’m not supposed to have a lot of caffeine due to a heart condition. But I had to do it! I needed tea in the afternoon to keep going. I was hungry all of the time. My knees and wrists still felt achy despite no longer standing and lifting all day. And then I started getting sick. I even got the flu (really, I was tested). Being uninsured, this cost me several hundred dollars (with the doctor’s visit, medications, and time lost from work). Even though I had a well-paying job at the time, I was still recovering from having no money from before. It felt like a real kick in the teeth.
That’s when I started taking my symptoms seriously. There was something wrong and I needed to get it fixed if anything was going to improve.
First, I ditched the veggie burgers and stopped eating non-organic and GMO corn and soy. I noticed an almost immediate relief from my joint pain. I had a bit more energy, but I was still downing that coffee everyday. I got switched on to eating greens everyday. That helped a bit! More energy and a happier tummy. I started making vegetable juice at home again. More energy, again! The only thing was that I still suffered from intestinal discomfort including loose stools and hemorrhoids (I know, ick! but I have to share so you know!). That’s when I decided to get rid of all of the junk and to see what happened.
That’s right; no more refined grains, no added sugars, no oil slathered foods, lots and lots of veggies and other things that come from plants. In as soon as two weeks I had never felt better than at any point during the rest of my life. As I’m writing this, I feel fabulous. I have tons of energy, no pain, no stiffness, no intestinal issues to speak of. I have no cravings. In fact, all I really want to do is drink green smoothies all day!
My partner has had a similar experience. In fact, we both have the energy to exercise now and have begun a fitness journey together. Her goal is to lose 20 pounds for our wedding this October. Mine, as I don’t need to lose any weight, is to build some nice muscles. I've never been able to do that. I've tried and tried. Nothing’s worked. I can’t wait to share my experiences with you!
If you’re reading this and thinking that my story sounds a lot like yours, I think you should investigate doing what I did. Start eating clean. Don’t diet. Just stop eating the junk. You may be surprised at how much better you start feeling.
UPDATE: Since the two of us switched to a "clean eating" diet, my partner and I have also become fitness enthusiasts. We still only eat whole grains but will sometimes consume small amounts of sweeteners, usually coconut sugar or agave nectar, and healthy fats from nuts and avocado. Our oil consumption is diminished, and we have started using grapeseed and coconut oils when needed for recipes.
Of course, I’m not an expert. I am only sharing my personal experiences. If you have health problems and want to try changing your diet to fix them, you should consult with your doctor if you can.
Cast of Characters
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| Chris, Rusty, and I in a field of Texas bluebonnets. |
This is me and my family. We are a unique little group. My partner Christine and I met in 2006 at a house party in Rhode Island. Our friendship grew and blossomed. We were best buds despite living many states apart. Then, in 2008, we realized we were perfect for each other. We've been together ever since. In fact, we are rarely ever apart aside from while we’re at work! As a same-sex couple, it has been challenging taking the next step in our relationship. We've been engaged since 2009 but have not lived in a state where gay marriage is recognized. Since the federal government will be honoring legally performed same-sex ceremonies now, we've picked a date and will finally be tying the knot in October 2014! It’s going to be awesome. I really can’t wait.
There are also two fur people in our household. Rusty is our apricot toy poodle. He is a mostly vegetarian dog. We feed him V-Dog brand dog food and we still allow him to enjoy rawhide treats and other chewy snacks. He does extremely well on the dog food. We gave it a try after he kept becoming disinterested in the non-vegan food he was eating. He was also having issues with his coat dulling and developing rough spots. The V-Dog has made him a vibrant, happy poodle. Our other four-legged child is a calico cat named Mia. The two of them love playing together. It’s hilarious as she is larger than he is.
Chris and I also take care of a stray in our neighborhood. We feed her and pet her and gave her a little cat house to live in, too. True story, she came to us pregnant and emaciated. We brought her to an animal rescue where they kept her until her babies were born, stable, and healthy. They named them all after princesses, found them homes, and gave momma all the vet care she needed. She was brought to a feral cat colony after they determined she was not indoor cat material. A few days later she came back to us. She’s a remarkable girl and I only hope she stays with us for long enough that she can come with us when we’re able to move into a house.
UPDATE: In May, the stray we kept track of was injured in a cat fight. We brought her to get fixed up and she is currently living with us while she recovers. She is extremely timid but is in good spirits. We hope that she will grow to become an active member of our family.
Goals and Aspirations
If there’s one thing that I love more than blogging it is publishing cookbooks. While I post on Lizz Delicious regularly (about once per week), I am constantly working on my next cookbook. My e-books are short collections of themed recipes. My goal is to publish an extensive cookbook filled with good-for-you recipes that not only taste great but won’t take you hours to prepare. I am also in the beginning stages of publishing a collection of personal stories about vegans in Texas. This book will also contain vegan recipes for traditional Texas dishes. It’s going to be a lot of fun putting it together.
But my love of food and vegan living doesn't end there. I dream of having a food truck someday, or opening a small vegan cafe or pub in New England. I would love to have a farm in Vermont. Maybe a bed and breakfast with a vineyard and winery attached. And I would like to bring the concept of a public food forest to the northeast, too.
In the meantime, you’ll find me here at my little internet home, sharing my love of vegan food and living with whomever will listen!