I haven't really talked much about what happened after the cleansing diet I did in July or what I learned about myself and food from the diet. I guess since the detox I've become sort of a closet vegetarian. I only eat meat if I know where it comes from, meaning organic and humane meat. But usually its just easier to tell people that I'm a vegetarian. When I told mom that I only eat meat if I know where it comes from, she replied "Well...I bought the chicken from Pilgrim's Pride". And when Mrs. Swan made fried rice the other day, Chris said "Oh...it has chicken in it. Cindy doesn't eat chicken". His mom then said "Oh. I thought you said she didn't eat meat". Apparently chicken is a vegetable. I ate the fried rice. I don't want to be rude or snobby about it. But I don't feel good physically when I eat meat. I feel bloated and sluggish and just plain ugh.

So...this is one of the things I learned from the diet. Meat makes me sluggish. The second thing I learned was that gluten is the cause of my flaky lips. The entire time I was on the diet, no matter how hard I tried, I could not peel my lips off. Oh.. and I tried. Now, I can tell when I've had more gluten then usual. Those are the days I easily peel off my lip before applying a thick coating of lip balm. Even though I know gluten is bad for me, I haven't given it up. Gluten is every where! I just pay more attention to it these days and try to introduce more gluten free option into the meal plans. I also can't give up seafood. It brings me pleasure to eat a slab of raw tuna on bed of sushi rice. It's not something I get very often, so I'm not depriving myself.

The new changes have been good. I've lost a little weight. I feel better physically. I'm learning to be a more creative cook and getting close to being able to write my own "OKC Vegetarian Restaurant Guide". This weekend, I might even try making my own paneer...from scratch!