Veganism and Gifts

I'm on Day 15 of the Vegan Kickstart. I'm feeling pretty good and not missing meat and cheese too much (no recent dreams). I've been having a lot of processed food -- faux meat or processed soy cheese are not the best things for you. When I eat too much processed food I definitely don't feel as good. So, I'm really tuning in with my body. And I think in general, I'm feeling lighter and healthier. This is my last week. I'll reassess how I feel at the end of this process.

So, in addition to my 21 days of veganism, I've embarked on 29 Days of Giving. I've challenged myself to give 29 gifts in 29 days (www.29gifts.org). I'm on Day 9 and it's been a huge shift for me. When you're spending the whole day looking for opportunities to give of yourself, you realize how much you have to give and you are grateful. I highly recommend it to everyone, especially those who feel like they don't have enough (of anything).

Vegan Day 7

"If we aren't supposed to eat animals, then why are they made of meat?" ~Author Unknown

Vegan Day 7. I feel much better than the last time I wrote, though I had a meat dream last night. In the dream I was at a party. I was talking to my high school friend Connie and eating off of the buffet. When I looked down at my plate I saw that it was loaded with beef skewers and chicken. And I realized that I'd already eaten a whole plate of that stuff. I'd forgotten that I was supposed to be vegan. I put the plate down and then started looking for veggie options. That's when I woke up. Hmmm.

I feel pretty good, but as I'm completing this first week I'm not feeling like I want to be vegan forever. I miss meat and cheese and eggs. I'll see how I feel at the end of the 21 days though. It's still early yet.

In other news, I went to the Getty Villa with my parents on Friday. They're visiting from Spain and wanted to do something touristy. I love going to the Villa. It's so peaceful and is a very beautiful oasis. I think I'll take my folks to the Self Realization Center in the Palisades later today. We could all use another peaceful and beautiful oasis. On that note I'm off to hike in Griffith Park with Melissa, Jojo, our babies and our dogs.

Genki Desu (I am Well)

"If you have health, you probably will be happy, and if you have health and happiness, you have all the wealth you need, even if it is not all you want." ~Elbert Hubbard

I've decided that 2010 is a year to focus on being genki. Genki is a Japanese term meaning healthy or well. It's more broad than how we normally think of those terms. It's about wellness in mind, body, and spirit. A person who's genki is physically fit, but also cheerful and vibrant. I think I'm generally pretty genki, but my goal is to be even more genki and to fully embody this into 2010.

So in pursuit if this healthier me, I've decided to take a 21-Day Vegan Challenge. I'm eating vegan for 3 weeks. I'm on Day 3 right now. I think that with a lighter, more plant-based diet I will be feeling better and will be healthier. So far, it's been promoting healthier eating, but I'm not feeling so genki in the mind and spirit. In fact for the past couple days I've been pretty pissed off. Partly I can attribute it to my special time of the month. However, I think the real reason I'm feeling negative emotion is because I've been suppressing my negative emotions with food. Those foods laden with fat and calories are numbing and have been my drug. I've felt like this before when I've done the Master Cleanse. In the first few days of fasting, negative emotions come up for me. It's a physical as well as emotion detox. It's not pretty, but it's good stuff. It comes up so it can be released.

So, while I'm not feeling mentally very genki right now, I know that after a few more days of this emotional detox I'll be feeling better than ever. And if not, I've only committed for 18 more days. If I don't feel better at the end of this 3 weeks, I'll happily run to and savor the nearest bacon cheeseburger.

Final Acknowledgments

I managed to finish 70 of these before the stroke of midnight on December 31. I'm committed to finishing what I start, so here are the remainder of my 2009 Acknowledgments. I acknowledge myself because I...

71. finished 70 acknowledgments before midnight on the 31st. (hey, this isn't cheating, these are tough)

72. committed to a 21-Day Vegan Kickstart Plan. I'm on my first day today.

73. did all the corporate taxes for Halm Solutions.

74. made a diaper cake for Jojo's shower.

75. made a diaper cake for Bonita.

76. made a diaper cake for Katie.

77. hosted Jojo's baby shower.

78. hosted Katie's baby shower.

79. got a new stainless steel dishwasher.

80. got a new stainless steel oven.

81. manifested a Kitchen-Aid Mixer.

82. went to San Diego for a weekend

83. went on a 40 day gratitude/pleasure immersion diet

84. went to belly dancing several times

85. went on many, many hikes

86. made a point of hanging out with friends while doing physical activities (running, hiking, biking, yoga).

87. ate as much organic foods as possible.

88. ate a raw food diet for several weeks to detox.

89. hosted Rosh Hashanah dinner

90. hosted Easter dinner

91. saw Pink Martini in concert at the Hollywood Bowl (for free).

92. went to high tea at the SLS Hotel and was treated by my best friends.

93. discovered and have been attending a really interesting progressive synagogue with P. and the kids.

94. re-started consistently writing morning pages.

95. rented out our Hills house to pop stars

96. watched more tv than I had in past 10 years combines probably, overdosed, and have since gone back to pre-owning a tv levels (virtually none).

97. made a very tough decision that was very authentic for me.

98. spent the whole year living really authentically (and it felt good!)

99. increased my love for and intimacy with my darling hubby.

100. finished this list!