MEATBE.......AN IRONIC NICKNAME?


Just over a week ago, I consumed a fast food feast of such grand proportions that I am almost embarrassed to tell you about it. I hadn't splurged in quite a while, and so I figured that I had it coming. And, believe me, when I decide to splurge, I can really pack away the vittles.

I started off with an Ultimate Burger from DQ, and a large order of fries. Of course, I complemented the fries with ample amounts of ketchup. That should have been more than enough. Not quite sated, however, I topped it off with an all beef chili dog with cheese and onions. And then for good measure, I added another chili dog. To make my repast complete, I washed it all down with a few beers. As I said, I am not proud of this feat. It's a wonder that I didn't have a massive coronary on the spot.

Not surprisingly, the next morning I was feeling the effects of my gluttony. My punishment was actually more mental than physical, as I berated myself for eating as if it were my last meal prior to facing the gallows. I really do try to eat a healthy diet most of the time, and so I was feeling very guilty about my monsterous splurge.

While I was in this state of mind, last Thursday morning, I picked up The Courier Journal to read Bryant Stamford's "The Body Shop" column as I always do. In this particular column, his subject was the importance of a low-fat, plant-based diet, and the health benefits provided by such a diet. There was a form of a testimonial from a reader who had lost weight and experienced great health benefits by adopting a similar diet in her life. On Bryant Stamford's recommendation, the reader had previously purchased The China Study, by T. Colin Campbell, and she strongly felt that the nutritional advice contained within that book had changed her life for the better.

As I read "The Body Shop" that morning, it was as if a light bulb had been switched on in my mind. It almost certainly had something to do with my over-indulgence from the night before, but I suddenly felt compelled to adopt a low-fat, plant-based diet in my own life. I immediately called Destinations Booksellers to order The China Study for myself. It arrived just a few days later, and I have been absorbed in it ever since.

The China Study is very interesting reading. I'm certain that I will want to discuss it in greater detail in a future CoffeeSpoons post. For now, it will suffice to say that it has convinced me to to seriously consider adopting a vegetarian lifestyle.

In a very short period of time, this book has convinced me that the proteins consumed in an animal-based diet may be extremely harmful to our health. As shocking as it may seem, there is an abundance of very sound scientific research showing that the consumption of animal proteins, even in fairly small amounts, greatly lessens our resistance to cancer and other undesirable maladies. If you decide to read The China Study, I think that you too will discover it to be a truly remarkable eye-opener.

It has now been eight days since I have ingested meat of any kind. I have also refrained from consuming milk. The primary feeling that I have experienced thus far is that of being cleansed. I have not experienced any feelings of weakness, as I had feared that I might. I have continued to work out with weights and on the elliptical trainer at the gym, and I feel certain that probably helps. I'm excited to see how I might progress from here.

At this point, I'm not yet willing to swear that I will become a vegetarian for the rest of my life. I am very seriously considering it though. I would be quite interested to hear the thoughts of any readers who may have experience with the vegetarian lifestyle.

Here's to your good health!

--The Meatbe