Eat to Live: bizarre peacefulness

C

charlotteyochem

Cathlete
Hey everyone:

I'm in the second week now of going all-out vegetarian ala Eat to Live. I bought the book after one or more of you raved about it. As I read it I decided that it made so much sense, and that Dr. Furman and his sources were so persuasive, that I would give it a go. Mind you - I already eat pretty cleanly, but was eating chicken, fish, occasional steak, dairy, etc. I also have the alelrgy symptons mentioned on a post the other day and wondered if cutting out all animal everything might clear it up - worth a try, right??!!:7 I blew the booze part to bits on Thanksgiving (at least a bottle of wine myself) and the following Saturday(two glasses of wine at lunch plus most of my husband's second martini, then half a bottle of wine at dinner... (heck, we were in New Orleans - when in Rome...) Oops.x( But the eating has been ETL all the way. And the exercise always a constant. (I didn't even really notice the first half of my run on Saturday after wine and martinis). Results: I'm never, ever hungry. I have leaned out. Have good, steady energy. Sleep well. And - here's the bizarre part - I have this weird peaceful feeling all the time. There is no background angst. Anyone else experience this??
 
Interesting....I have never even thought about a vegan diet. I am scared I would miss my salmon, chicken and ribeyes :) I love meat! But I have wondered about eating too much of it - sounds like this would be a good book to read to at least start incorporating more veggies in my diet....I just wouldn't know what to cook if it didn't have meat in it?? Even my salads, I throw on boiled eggs and turkey cubes......

Thanks for posting your observations - - )
 
Charlotte--
I made the switch gradually to being vegan about a year ago. I still don't eat as many veggies per day as Dr. Furman recommends, but I definitely feel much better overall dropping consumption of animal products.

I have had a lot of allergy and migraine symptoms diminish greatly from changing my eating. I probably noticed the biggest difference for me by dropping dairy products. I made the changes in my eating very gradually.


In terms of the peaceful feeling --hmm. I 'm not sure about that. But I do feel like my mood and energy level are more steady and I sleep well. I'm glad for you that you are feeling good and peaceful!

-Barb
:) :)
 
Ok, too many are raving about this. I caved to the peer pressure and ordered it from Amazon.

Sparrow

My garden is filled with papayas and mangos
My life is a mixture of reggaes and tangos
Taste for the good life, I can live it no other way
- Jimmy Buffett
 
Charlotte-
I attempted vegan last spring after an incredibly stressful fall and winter. I ate meat for the last time Easter Sunday.
I found I could not eat enough calories going ETL all the way, so I added fish back in 1-3 times a week and pretty much eat whatever I want that is not milk. Or red meat. Or white meat.

LOL, I sound like I shouldn't be posting in this thread!! My point is to tell you that I have felt quite wonderfully *happy* ever since cutting out meat and milk. Weird, but true!!

I tried an experiment of corned beef and hash for breakfast in July and felt incredibly sick the rest of the morning... and ever since I have wondered, has the food been my problem this whole time?? ;)

In any case, I'm glad you're feeling happy with yourself and your choices!
 
Sparrow-
I think you'll be glad you got the ETL book. I thought it was enlightening.

I also liked the book "Becoming Vegan" too. It helped me organize how to go about making all of the changes and fit it in with continuing to feed my family. My whole family (DH and 2 kids, ages 13 & 10 eat vegetarian, but not vegan now).

-Barb
:)
 
Do you guys have the Vegan Planet cookbook?? Everything in there has been delicious. Carole (McMain) recommended it. Absolutely worth making space for this book!:9
 
Amy--
I have Vegan Planet by Robin Robertson and think it's great. I had a similar problem with ETL and calories. I didn't add fish back, but eat more grains and beans than what I think Fuhrman recommends and it's working.

I also have Robin Robertson's vegetarian Crockpot cookbook and like it.

Glad you are feeling good! I'm grateful to Carole for her education about vegan eating. I would not have tried doing this without her (and other Cathe-ites) posting their experiences.

-Barb:)
 
I followed ETL exactly for 6 weeks this summer and busted through a weight loss plateau --18 lbs in 6 weeks(all while lifting really heavy and not doing much cardio due to recovering from achilles tendonosis). I felt great.

I currently do not follow his plan exactly--I'm too much of a "foodie" unfortunately, but I eat tons more fresh fruits and veggies and beans, and way less refined flours, sugars, dairy, and fats then I used to. Even my husband has joined me in my healthy habits and is even willing to eat vegan meals. (Kiddos are a bit more resistant...:)).

I think that this is a great plan.

Maggie:)
 
I love this book also. But I did blow it around Thanksgiving and had a little turkey, and leftovers for a few days after, I really did feel yucky and sluggish for those few days also. Eating the Eat to Live way, I feel peaceful and well rested and a lot more energetic, less tired. It really made me think about the meat, and processed foods that we eat. :)
 
Hi Charlotte! I was wondering if you can share one day's worth of meals with me. I ordered the book but want to start the program, or something like it, tomororow. I read Dr. Furman's website, and I was told today by my doctor that my cholesterol is wayyyy to high. I had to convince her to give me 6 months to lower it through my diet. I got the excercise under control , so now I have to do the diet part.

Thanks so much! -TIna
 
Don't you guys think this is interesting?? Yes - I leaned out already after only one and a half weeks! (I lose weight very easily, though, so that may not be the norm...) And why or how, if one is only eating relatively few calories but still expending the same amount of energy, is one not hungry as heck all the time on the ETL way of eating?? I am a lifetime bean lover, so have had at least one cup or more everyday, and oatmeal in the moring, so maybe the calories are adding up and/or the fiber is filling me up. But the "no meat" or "anything animal at all" part MUST represent a significant calorie deficit from "normal" eating, yes??

I feel so darn good!!:7 :7 :7 It's silly! Do you think it's OK to drink a glass of wine in the evening if I'm being so clean otherwise? And Dr. Furhman doesn't discuss it, but why wouldn't unbuttered popcorn be OK? (It's really good with J. Lohr Chardonnay).:eek:
 
Tina:

Here I am, a lawyer, about to infringe on Dr. Furhman's copyright!! A sample of a day's menu is as follows:
B: oranges
1 cup oatmeal
1 ounce walnuts
1 ounce raisins

L: Raisin coleslaw (he gives the recipe later)
vegetable or bean soup
1 or 2 pieces fresh fruit

D: Salad with orange/sesame dressing (recipe given)
Dr. Furhman's Famous Anti-Cancer Soup (recipe given)
Baked potato with nonfat tomatoe sauce

An example of my day's meal is:
B: 1/2 C. dry oats cooked in 1 C. enhanced soymilk with one apple chopped up in it and some frozen blueberries in there, too (then I cook it with all that in there).
L: gigantic tossed salad with greens, tomatoes, raw mushrooms, walnuts, tofu, flaxseed oil (1 teaspoon or so) and rice wine vinegar.
D: a whole box of cooked spinach with some chickpeas and a glass of soy milk and a piece of fruit if I'm not too full!

I have not been even marginally hungry between meals, but I'm pretty disciplined and "trained" not to snack, so again, that might be cheating!:7

I would LOVE to hear what others have done on this plan???
 
wow, charlotte, thanks! I am so excited to get the book.

today was a kick in the butt for me. I hope to stick with it and be on my way to healthier eating!!

tomorrow I am planning my meals to be 1/2 cup oatmeal in the morning with 1 cup fruit, then a vegetable soup i just made up, and for dinner a big ole salad with beans and lots of different colored veggies, with a peice of fruit. I'll throw in some soy milk too if I want it.

I'll let you know how it goes!! and, thanks for your help :)
 
Charlotte....I did have the peaceful feeling when I first switched to the ETL way of eating. I feel good most of the time. Good thread as I enjoy reading all of your experiences with ETL. Yes, the Vegan Planet is a must. Mine is slowly falling apart from overuse I think!!! I have not missed turkey, chicken or beef in about 2 and a half years!! I have also tried so many different foods (tempeh, seitan and portobello mushrooms!) I might not have since reading ETL....:)
 
>Here I am, a lawyer, about to infringe on Dr. Furhman's
>copyright!!

I'm a lawyer too, and I have a feeling that Dr. F would not mind a bit with all the raves he's getting here!

Also, registering on his website costs, but he answers your questions quickly and thoroughly. I love it, because I have all sorts of questions about how to feed my 1 yr old. I am a lot better abut feeding her than I am about feeding myself.
 
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