Once again, thank you all for the thoughtful feedback on my last post. It’s been sort of an interesting two weeks because I’ve been occupied with exploring my options for school. This definitely feels like it’s coming out of nowhere, but a random thought about online classes led me to discover the possibilities of an online degree. After some detective work, I’ve narrowed my options down to distance learning through Northeastern University or UMass. In my ideal world, I would be ready to get back to Rutgers within this year or next ( I left after freshman year), but the thing is that I just don’t know when I’ll be ready to get back, and even though I don’t like to acknowledge it, I don’t like that time is passing. I’ve been questioned about my fear of returning back to the campus, but my reasons for considering distance learning don’t have to do with fear. Although returning to Rutgers at whatever time I am ready would be a little scary, but mostly great and a major accomplishment, it would also mean commuting to school which I’m not excited about (and I know that this is my choice here, commuting, but living at school again feels like a whole different ballgame), and it would mean returning after all of my friends graduated as well. I really think that the combination of the two would make it difficult to make friends and have a good enough time to offset all the studying. I know that if I were to eventually go, I would learn to take things in stride, but since discovering distance learning I have more and more been in a better and more optimistic mood. I think that this is going to come down to a personal decision, and so far after the research I’ve done it seems to be something that I might go through with.
That being said, the fact that I’ve been looking into investing in my future seems to be a good sign and an affirmation that I believe I’m going to be healthy again. There was a day or two where I was really spending a lot of time on this, but I’ve scaled back and reminded myself that there’s a lot more to life than school. That being said, I am pretty excited that I can start this program soon if I’d like to :].
Anyway, I’ve read a few books in the past few weeks that have really influenced my thoughts on the diet-healing connection. I have noticed that cutting back on dairy has improved my skin slightly, so that’s encouraging as well, and has really sparked my interest in doing a vegan trial. And with over 500 million potentially poisonous eggs being recalled in the U.S., now seems like a better time than ever to do it…
The proposal: 30 days vegan
The books that are guiding me:
Alicia Silverstone’s The Kind Diet. I really liked this book, and the recipes look delicious.
David Wolfe’s Eating For Beauty. This book was really helpful in learning about how food can be used to influence our hair and skin in a positive way, and it also made a lot of sense. He basically recommends a vegan and high raw diet combined with lots of water and green powder supplements to boost the immune system and encourage hair growth and skin renewal. I’m not sure about how well I’ll be able to commit, but we’ll see.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Eating Raw. There’s a guide for just about everything, huh? I’m not complaining.
The To-Do List:
-Get my license, which expired after my 21st birthday. I’ve been dreading this. The whole process of having to take a picture is putting me off but I’m nearly ready to do it. Will get done this week. And then I’ll be able to drive over to Whole Foods, the park, etc. It will be very convenient (obviously, I know, I’m getting a little out of hand).
-Make a trip to Whole Foods.
-Make a trip to the library for recipe books and information on the major and career path I’m considering (will elaborate at a later time)
-Load up ipod with music and podcasts and begin my morning walks so that I can feel better and hopefully further curb cravings for sugar and dairy.
sidenote* I’ve decided that no matter where this takes me, I won’t strive to be 100% perfect about it. For some time I’ve been avoiding eating out at all, but I think that allowing myself to have a DD French Vanilla Coolatta or a salmon burger (gotta make some comparisons to mine) once in a while will allow me to strive for a higher quality of life as I get better. That’s the right idea, I think. When it comes down to it, I want to feel better, clear up my skin, and improve my hair for a better quality of life. And I think we can all agree that our food choices can have a great impact on that.
So I’ll make an official announcement when the to-do list is complete and I decide to commit to the 30 day Vegan Trial. Wish me luck!
I’m so excited for you! It sounds like you’ve been doing a lot of thinking and research…which is the best thing you can do for your future! 🙂
I can’t wait to hear your official announcement — good luck with everything!
That is awesome, I can’t wait to read more about how you’re doing!!
I am interested in that Eating For Beauty book, sounds interesting!
Hey love,
So sorry for being out of touch…I’ve been meaning to e-mail you for weeks now and my life has just been so hectic that I’m barely ever on the computer. I’m excited for you though! It sounds like you are doing well and doing some amazing things for yourself. A vegan challenge is an awesome idea- and I’m happy you aren’t going to put too much pressure on yourself with it, because that is never good either! But transitioning to a vegan diet really helped my stomach and health problems. Everyone is different and needs to find what works for them, but its worth a shot, for sure. Also, I would be very interested to read that book about eating for beauty. I’ve heard some good things about it. I have the Kind Diet and I thought it was very informative.
I hope you’re well and I’ll try to e-mail you soon. I’m thinking of you! Much love always
uve gotta let us know how it goes/ how you find the transition over. its either going to be a bit of a change for a bit or it will feel really natural for you. good luck!! ❤
although.. i guess luck isnt what u need. happy noshing 🙂
Just saying, “Hi!” Catching up to your blog. 🙂
Hey :] thanks
sending you hugs and kisses ❤
btw thank you so much for ur comment on my short hair ❤
glad to hear ur thinking of returning to blogging soon- ive missed you!! ❤