Moderation of Food

You may have noticed lately that I'm eating a lot of plant based meals. At the end of July we read The China Study and ever since have given up meat (completely) and dairy/eggs (at home). We've also significantly reduced the amount of added sugars and oils and salt in our diet. The coolest thing I've noticed since this change is how much dairy and sugar and oil and salt I used to eat. Seriously, my sugar supply is no longer a year supply but a life supply. I'm worried my oil may be going rancid and finally put it in the freezer to store until I need to refill my little jar. We were talking about our new diet with some friends who also chose to go plant based about that same time. We talked about how lots of our family members brought up the phrase "moderation in all things" as a way to warn us against the decision we made. Dan (our friend) pointed out that he thought the phrase was being misused so he went and looked it up for us. Here is what he shared:

http://www.lds.org/ensign/1994/10/our-strengths-can-become-our-downfall?lang=eng&query="moderation+in+all+things"+oaks

Preventing Strengths from Becoming Our Downfall

As I conclude, I need to caution myself and each of my readers that the very nature of this message could tend to the same downfall that it warns against. The idea that our strengths can become our weaknesses could be understood to imply that we should have “moderation in all things.” But the Savior said that if we are “lukewarm,” he “will spue [us] out of [his] mouth” (Rev. 3:16). Moderation in all things is not a virtue, because it would seem to justify moderation in commitment. That is not moderation, but indifference. That kind of moderation runs counter to the divine commands to serve with all of our “heart, might, mind and strength” (D&C 4:2), to “seek … earnestly the riches of eternity” (D&C 68:31), and to be “valiant in the testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:79). Moderation is not the answer.

Interesting even if it is maybe referring more to a "testimony of Jesus."  Back to food, though.

Today on the FB one of the pages I "like" shared a really cool article also about "moderation." Apparently it's not just the Mormons that like to talk about it. I think what I liked is how it explained the exact phenomenon I have experienced: my supposed moderation of the past 30 years wasn't really moderation after all, but now I may be truly practicing it. Maybe. The honest truth is, though, the holidays were terrible. We totally ate way too much dairy and sugar. First there was a niece's wedding which involved a road trip. Then there was Christmas which involved homemade treats. Then there was New Year's which involved a few parties. Maybe now I can be more disciplined. I still get major chocolate cravings and sneak a handful or two of chocolate chips when I'm near them. I know - I should just get rid of them - but sometimes treats need to be made for others. Or something. Anyway, here's a link to the article. I really liked it. I really like the author, too. He does a good job of advocating for a plant based diet. I watched a few of his YouTube videos and liked his style.

What do you think? Any plant fans out there besides Tracie?

2012 in Review

In the past I've posted a "review" of the year. I like it as a way of summing things up. A few years ago, though, my husband and I started a different blog specifically for the year in review. It was shared with various friends and family as a Christmas card. I know, I could just send them all here, but the truth is, I'm not sure I want all of them seeing the minutiae of my life. You guys, however, are the lucky ones! You get minutiae and my year in review!To save some time, though, I think I'll just share a link to my 2012 Year in Review post.