This is my busiest time of year at work. It is also when I enjoyed my job the most. It’s a complex mix of huge time consuming projects and tight deadlines, but each project allows for creativity, something that makes me giggle with delight. I have to control my imagination and the want to play with possibility, with the sensible logistical side of my brain. Because I get so much enjoyment out of the design side, I bring my work home, and play with it for a few more hours.
I don’t mind this in the least, I love what I am doing. However, the combination of evenings spent in front of a computer, looming deadlines, and some personal stuff doesn’t leave any time for relaxing or switching off. My mind has 20 things unresolved and flying around in there.
I had an appointment with the hot massage guru to sort out my neck.
My neck, almost immobile and aching from too much computer action … at least that’s what I thought. My neck is where I hold my stress, I didn’t realize how much or that I wasn’t really dealing with it til today.
while I was waiting to go in, checking my emails, making a grocery list, and tapping my foot impatiently, my naturopath came in and asked how I was doing.
“Uh, great, yeah really good, things are busy, crazy busy at work, actually I’m kinda stressed.” said in less than 0.43 seconds.
She sits down and asks in a soft calm voice what is making you stressed?
“You know, the usual. Work, not running enough, getting caught up in other peoples dramas, trying to fix things. Can’t fix everything, I’m like my mother, she is a helper, my dad’s a worrier. I’m probably like him too” my hands are flying all over the place.
How do you manage your stress?
“Huh?” perplexed look. ”I don’t know” actually was first thought was booze, chocolate and meaningless sex, but had the rare insight to stop the words coming out.
Have you been doing yoga?
“Yeah, do I yoga all the time.” I’m almost screaming.
Then I heard myself. I realized how fast I was talking. How crazy I must seem. I stopped and sat there. I thought for a minute.
“I haven’t done a yoga class in, probably, 6 weeks.” it was like I was a character in LOST and suddenly just remember my life or death or whatever that was.
When did you start feeling stressed?
“hmmm, I guess about a month or so ago” said much slower.
You should go do a class, it will help you manage your stress.
How do you manage stress?
Last week I spent 7 days as a vegan. The most common question I received was ‘why?’. The answer is, the lifestyle and the health benefits intrigues me and I am very quick to say ‘I can’t, I couldn’t, I wouldn’t’ when I haven’t tried.
So for 7 days I tried.
First off, 7 days is not long enough to make an argument for or against. I can’t speak to health benefits, or changes in mind, body or spirit. What I can say is that it surprised me.
I discovered, I can do it, I could be a vegan, I would miss eggs and milk more than I would want to be a vegan.
- It was a 1000 times easier than I expected.
- I enjoyed it.
- I never felt deprived or hungry all week.
- I felt light, never bloated or too full.
- I love veggies and carbs.
- I ate out 5 times (2 breakfast, 3 dinners) there was always something I could have or switch up to meet my needs.
- Chickpeas are versatile
Struggles
- Soy milk in the coffee … I didn’t get used to this, no matter how much Starbucks charges.
- I craved variety. I wanted something new for dinner, not left overs. There was a bit of waste, and a lot of time planning meals.
- Tofu and tempeh – you can deep fry them, cover it is spicy sauce, it still doesn’t taste like anything.
- It is sometimes inconvenient, but you probably don’t need whatever it is that is causing the inconvenience.
Like I said 7 days isn’t long enough but my skin felt great last week, it was soft and not as dry as it normally is. I felt calmer, happier and less stressed all week. I can’t equate that all to the diet, but Monday when I started eating ‘anything’ again I felt bloated right away.
Overall, I liked it, and have a new appreciation for the challenges a vegan faces and the variety of food they can eat. I could become a vegetarian with ease, but to be a vegan you really need to believe that animals should not be exploited for human gain. I don’t wish harm upon any animal, and I struggle with the knowledge of animal treatment in many industries. However, when it comes to poached eggs on hot buttered toast I am sadly, a little okay with the exploit.
I would do it again, maybe a little longer and in the summer when fresh local produce is readily available.
here are more of my eats …
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by Ali on February 23, 2010
WORKOUT: 10 hill repeats
The only challenge, besides reading labels and uttering the words no when offered chocolate is the soy milk in my coffee issue. I found a solution, a $5 solution, but you can not put a price tag on the kinda love I have for coffee in the morning. Starbucks miso made with soy milk. Almost as good as the real thing and a million times better than mine version.
A friend told me about a local indian restaurant that will veganize your order if you call ahead. Thought I would try it out. After a good hill workout I picked up Channa Masala and naan bread. I mixed the curry with some of the roast veggies from last night. It was delicious!
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