A Vegetarian Minimalist? Me?!
A vegetarian minimalist? Me?!
Picture me looking at myself in the mirror. I am wearing an expression that says, "Hmm, this is interesting; tantalizing, even." My reflection is wearing an expression that says, "Who are you and what have you done with Ellen, the multi-collections - er - collector/carnivore?"
A Vegetarian Minimalist? Me?! is a blog post by Ellen M. Gregg, Intuitive Channel & Healer. #vegetarian #minimalist #minimalism #healthyeating #weightwatchers #ellenmgregg #intuitivechannel #intuitivehealer #earthangel #innatelyintuitive
The carnivore has been relinquishing her desire for "meat, meat, and more meat" over the past several months, having discovered how much happier her body is when it's fed vegetarian chili, for example, rather than beef, chicken, turkey, and the occasional pork.
The multi-collections collector has been systematically dismantled over the past several years, and that not only continues, but has escalated. I used to collect all things Mary Engelbreit, as well as Victoriana, anything to do with The Phantom of the Opera, and the original Phantom, Michael Crawford (I was a member of his fan club!), theater masks, costumes and props, dishware, candles, fabric, books, CDs, Christmas décor, and more.
What does it all mean? I haven't a clue, but I'm contemplating that question.
Quasi-Vegetarian
I'm still askance at this adventure, and yet I'm titillated by the exploration. I have been eating a lot of beans, of late; mostly red kidney beans, with which I make a delicious, nutritious, fast stove-top chili, and also fat-free refried beans. I bought some black beans when I went shopping yesterday, so I look forward to working with them, too.
Also, I haven't consumed cow's milk for about six months. I am thoroughly enjoying almond, coconut, and soy milk instead.
Just this week, I decided to order a package each of Oh My Gosh...Yum, LLC's two flavors of NoBull Burger. The flavors are Original, Savory Mushroom and Roasted Garlic. I tried one of each last night. The Original was 3 PointsPlus, and the Savory Mushroom and Roasted Garlic was 4 PointsPlus.
They were fantastic. Both were super moist, flavorful, and satisfying. To cook them, I sprayed a skillet with EVOO, seared the burgers on either side, put the lid on the pan, turned the flame off, and let them warm through. Easy! I had them with a simple salad of crisp Romaine, and rough-chopped white mushrooms, dressed with two tablespoons of Wish-Bone Italian dressing (2 PointsPlus).
The reason for the "quasi" above is, I'm still eating eggs for breakfast every morning, sandwiched on an English muffin, with a piece of Pepper Jack cheese, and a slice of Canadian bacon. I don't see myself giving up eggs. The cheese? The jury is still out on that one, because I love cheese. The Canadian bacon? I could easily let that go, and apply the 1 PointsPlus somewhere else.
The bottom line is, I'm feeling good (and good about) not consuming all the meat I used to love and crave. I don't miss it, and as long as I'm getting what I need nutrition-wise, I'm going to continue eating this way.
Minimalist
I'm beginning to think I am on a course toward minimalism. The more I purge from my home, the more I want to purge. I've given and thrown away so many things over the past week, and there is plenty more in queue to be given away, for the most part.
A couple weeks ago, I was sitting in my livingroom with Ya-Ya Deb-Deb for a few moments, and I noticed myself tightening up and shrinking inward. Even after getting rid of several items in that room, I felt as though the walls were closing in on me, and all I wanted to do was empty the room of the items merely taking up space. I've been systematically doing that ever since, and other rooms are getting the same treatment.
If I allow myself to think about it too much, I can become very disturbed over all the things I accumulated over the years. Many of those things represent a time in my life when I felt a need for those physical anchors. It was as though they proved, or otherwise represented, my existence, which is... Well, it's utterly ridiculous, to be frank.
My goal is to continue paring and purging until I have only what I need, and a scant few items I want (like artwork), left. I have a self-imposed deadline of June 1 to be done. I'd better get back to it.
