Instructor Bios
Articles

LIVE WELL WITH LAURA

On being vegan

by Laura Burkett-Holstine, HHC

Laura Burkett, HHCHow do I eat like a yogi? Is there criteria? If I eat a candy bar, cooked food, or eggs am I less yogic than others? 

There are as many “right” ways of eating as there are people on this planet. Really. Yet so many of us are still on the quest for the universal perfect diet, and, paradoxically, the perfect diet doesn't exist.

In the yoga world, it's easy to be seduced into yogic-type eating without examination. If you've ever wondered if plant-only eating is the path for you, here are just a couple things to ponder when considering the transition.

Belief: You need to be a vegetarian or vegan   

What I’m saying: We cannot eat our way into heaven. Nor can we become better people just because we don’t eat meat. If you're feeling like a morally superior person due to dietary choices, take notice. Do you believe this way of eating promises salvation, fashion, or smaller clothing? Food itself is not the way. Food nourishes the way. Now, the bigger question: The way to what? Find what moves you to live on this planet. Then find a way of eating that supports THAT - and trust it.

What I’m not saying: I’m not saying to ignore the type, amount, or quality of animal protein in your diet. Collectively, we eat a lot of meat. It certainly would be in our best interest to practice voting when we shop by purchasing local, high-quality, organic animal protein and skip the factory-farmed nonsense. We can develop relationships with our local farmers and learn how to prepare meals geared toward a plant-based diet as well as support the health of our planet. Does that mean we judge ourselves when we mysteriously end up with a Taco Bell Gordita in hand? Absolutely not. Can you be okay with not doing it perfectly? If we move toward increasing plant foods from a place of self-love, it totally works and we’ll intuitively know exactly what amounts of what foods will work for us. If dietary changes are done from a place lacking in self-trust, we will never be open to listen or change as our bodies’ needs grow and change and give us new information.

Remember, it’s very challenging to make diet precede the lifestyle. Typically, we find a way of living that works for us and then eat in a way that supports that. Yogis did not eat an abundance of sprouts and fruit to become better yogis. They found that a plant-based diet supported their path and their lifestyle. (Energetically, plant foods, and raw foods specifically, are expansive by nature - energy flows up and out). 

Two Places to Work

Keep track of who’s running the dietary show. If you're interested in a 100% plant-based diet, ask yourself why? Does it simply feel right or does it somehow hold the promise of a better life? No food or theory is inherently good or bad. How we use it makes all the difference.

Dietary changes: There are two places you can work in this realm to begin upgrading: 

1) Improve the quality of animal protein you eat. Make high-quality non-negotiable. Yes, you may spend more money. Therefore, you may have to eat meat a little less. It is so worth the investment and is a win/win for your health and for the planet.

2) Gradually increase plant protein in your diet. Learn how to prepare beans, tofu, and tempeh (if your body can tolerate them). Soak nuts and seeds and try new nut butters, such as sunflower seed butter and tahini. Go from animal protein 3 times a day to 1-2 times a day*.  Find a place that feels comfortable and nourishing for your body. Then be ready to tweak and change along the way. Honor what your body tells you.

* The health benefits of going to a 90% plant-based diet are astounding. This doesn't mean you need to give up animal protein entirely. This means it might be interesting to work toward increasing plant protein as well as enjoying animal protein 2-3 times a week.  

Visit Laura at www.RealFoodWellness.com