Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Lent

Tomorrow is the start of Lent and traditionally we give up something from now until Easter Sunday to signify the time Jesus spent in the desert and resisted temptation from Lucifer. This year I've chosen to give up dairy products. I've been a vegetarian for 6 years now. I still occasionally will have eggs and I have milk in my coffee, eat cheese, milk chocolate, etc. Products that I buy that list 'milk ingredients' are OK for me too. I try to eat vegan as much as I can, but have never fully committed because I'm lazy, wantingly lack willpower and perhaps am a bit selfish. I'm fighting battles within myself (angel & devil on my shoulders) knowing that going vegan is right, but the selfish side thinking that I'll miss my favorite treats...pizza, chocolate, cheese. I quit eating meat because of ethical issues mostly (a little for health. A lot of those benefits were discovered after) and I didn't want to contribute to mistreatment & deaths of innocent creatures. I buy organic milk, free range eggs and organic produce when I can. I try to buy from companies that are cruelty free. Sometimes I think I'm just being a spoiled brat. I have read several times of possible connections between diary and skin afflictions (mainly eczema-which I have). I'm wondering if cutting dairy out of my diet will make a difference in that respect . If I can do it for 40 days, then why not just continue on from there, right? This will be my ownpersonal test, experience, journey...whatever you want to call it.

1 comment:

Dreena said...

Hi Carrie! You might notice a difference in your skin even sooner with removing the dairy. Also, sometimes eczema is linked to needing a little more omega-3's. When I was pregnant with my first daughter I broke out in eczema in a few places and I have never had it before. I read up and also talked with my midwife, and both explained that the baby was 'taking' all of my omega 3's. I increased my intake of flax oil, pumpkin seeds, and other sources, and within 3-4 days it was clearing up. Good luck to you!