Everything changes.  One thing we know for sure is that nothing stays the same.  We can't dwell on what was, and we can't really worry about what will be.  Just to make a point, vegan feast Thursday ended like this last week...one of the regulars announced he would be missing most of the vegan feasts this summer, as he left for 6 weeks to tour the US and Japan with his band.  Another let us know that his summer schedule for school involved 4 nights a week from 6-9 leaving him out of the loop, as well.  Apparently another has fallen for a girl in another county and been spending time there.  Another regular fell out many months ago when Cupid's arrow found him and he instantly became part of a family of 4.  With Kyle now living in Tampa (something that became more real when we went to visit him last weekend) VFT has currently dwindled to a family of 4!  Tonight Derek, Mishell, Mitch and I will go out to eat...I almost don't know how to act on a Thursday that does NOT involve shopping, cooking and baking (around my client schedule). Not to worry, I am good with change.  I see myself floating on a raft in my pool finishing the book Commitment so I can move on to the book Derek gave me for Mother's Day.  If you liked the book Eat, Pray, Love you will also enjoy Committment, which is basically her sequel.  With only one client this afternoon, I'll probably have a lot of energy to kick her young little butt!

It's been about 2 months since I eliminated the last of the animal products from my "diet."  I continue to feel wonderful with this journey, one day at a time.  I have developed a love affair with foods that I once did not appreciate, even as a vegetarian.  I literally crave grilled vegetables and I find myself excited to dive into a stuffed hummus/avocado and salad wrap- (I love making enough salad or vegetables with dinner to have leftovers for my lunch the next day).  Tuesday I made tofu scrambles with onions, mushrooms, green pepper, salsa and lots of spices and that made a great filling for a wrap as well.  For the record I have NO problem finding delicious, satisfying foods to eat and to answer a question I get often, NO, I do not feel ANY difference in my strength or endurance.  None.  I do, however, feel so much happier and my weight doesn't really seem to make huge fluctuations like it used to.

I DO however, have to work on my sugar.  I do really well all day and then after dinner sweets from the pantry, fridge and freezer all call my name.  The last few nights I have been wakeful and I KNOW the chocolate licorice is the culprit.  No more.  With summer fruits about to  burst wide open, I am going to try hard to convert my  fix to cherries, watermelon and all the other healthful and naturally sweet treats from mother nature.

If you are even remotely interested in a plant-based diet, I encourage you to visit thekindlife.com  Alicia Silverstone's fabulous site.  Whatever you do, be kind to yourself.  Please stay well hydrated and work on your meditation.  Since I have been working on mine, I have become clear about a few things that I have been on the fence about.  Living in the present really does help make the past and the future much more clear.

LIVING IN THE PRESENT

"Meditation encourages us to focus the mind and concentrate our mental energies.

If we are constantly dwelling on the past or worrying about the future,

we hinder our ability to be fully aware of the present.

Meditation encourages us to awaken to the reality of today and, in doing so,

offers us freedom not only from all that has been but also from all that will be."

from Meditation, by Bill Anderton