About

I have been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for over 15 years.  My venture into vegginess began with my yoga practice and learning how to hear my body.  The more I listened to my body, the more I heard it saying that meat made it feel terrible. This is not a decision made out of morality, nor is it something that I believe applies to all people. Instead, I edged slowly out of meat eating, but held fast to my (inordinate) love of cheese–and, yes, I understand how cheese works in the body and how it is made.  I comfortably sat in my lacto-ovo-ness (that sounds gross) for all of that time.

When I originally wrote this “About” section in 2013, I wrote this:

Full disclosure: I’m not sure I can stick it out as a vegan.  I do know, however, that my father’s third set of chemo treatments has made me rethink my attachment to animal products.  Furthermore, my own recent years in graduate school shifted my focus from my mind-body connection into solo mind-ness.  Away from mindfulness, I steadily gained weight each year (there have been 5, total, so far). Besides moving with less ease, this weight gain brought to my attention the multitude of fibroids populating my uterus for some time.  The long of the short: my lifestyle has become glaring. Something has to change.  I’m less interested in looking at the scale, per se, then feeling comfortable and well while sitting in this body.  It is time for me to treat both my mind and my body as a combined and precious entity.

Now, in 2018, I’m on sabbatical and back to spending lots of time with myself, in my own head, and subsequently, listening to my body. Slowing down the distractions of a challenging career as a literature professor, my own ambition, and the sights and sounds of the amazing city of Chicago, I am now in Denver for the year. Here, I will write, do yoga (again), throw pots, and return to cooking food that makes me feel nourished and happy.

The healthiest I’ve ever felt was on a plant-based diet.  At the height of my yoga practice, now years ago, I spent a summer eating mostly raw, whole foods–fruits and vegetables, sometimes blended but never dehydrated.  So, I will now return to what I already know works for me. However, on occasion, there might be a cheese option. There may also be an egg, here and there. Oh, and surely, I might succumb to butter or ghee, from time to time. I feel ok about this. And, instead of beating myself up for bad choices and the like, I will instead listen to what good feels like in my body and try to be rewarded.  I love food. I mean I really love food.   Therefore, the least I can do is walk into semi-veganism deliciously.

As a means of helping myself on my restarted semi-vegan venture, I created this space to collect various recipes and wisdom from all over the web–sometimes adding my own experience.  Here’s hoping that it not only helps me with my lifestyle shift, but can also add a bit to others.

Oh yes, and I read and study books, as well. Lots and lots of amazing books.  I currently live in Denver, CO but call Chicago and Philadelphia, both, “home.” Also, I want a dog.