First thing first, I swallow my gum. As revealed as one of my embarrassing moments in this video, it is true, I swallow my gum. Not only that, it usually amounts to about a pack or two a day when I’m on a binge of chewing and swallowing. I’ve been doing it for years. I’m assuming that extra pudge in my stomach isn’t fat. Its pure gum. Orbit’s Bubble Mint Gum. Sigh.

I say that as I begin to think about the ways in which I want to improve my eating habits. I’ve begun organizing my goals and plans for next year and when it comes to my health, my eating habits could use some work. Compared to the average american, I’m probably doing very well. But compared to who I know I could be, I’m failing miserably. The gum thing is one example.

I was relaxing with Mr. Papi when he asked me for some paper to dispose of his gum. “You know,” I said looking around, “I swallow my gum.”

“What!” he said stunned and disgusted.

“Yea, I know. It’s the grosses thing ever. It’s just by reflex!” I replied.

“That is not a reflex. It’s a bad habit. And since its a bad habit, you can change it. That’s not good,” he said.

“I know! I know!!!! I just do it,” I said.

“Then don’t!” he promptly replied.

He’s a “do or don’t do” type of man. No excuses. One of many things I like about him.

I’ve been trying to figure out why eating Vegan and Raw is so hard for me. I realize most of this has to do with work. When I’m home, I eat very well. However, when I go to work, I just eat what is there. The only remedy for this is to bring my own lunches to work. This would also help my budget out too! I could buy more books. I mean, er, save for my retirement.

In order to bring my lunch, it means I’ll need to plan accordingly. I referred to my Real Simple magazine subscription to find an organizational method in which to do this and now I find myself scouring the internet, youtube and my cookbooks for easy, flavorful vegan and raw meals.

I write down the name of the meal for each day. Then I write down all the ingredients. I also have a special note section so that I can link meals that have the same ingredients. This is important because living alone means that when I cook, I have to find three different ways to use a bell pepper. I try to plan my meals with similar ingredients so that I’m not wasting things. The goal is to plan my meals out for a week or two…mainly lunches and dinners.

I’ve come across some tasty recipes to try. Spicy Tempeh Tacos. Tofu Lagasna. Homemade Lavendar Lemonade. As well as a host of other things. I’m also hoping to do a green smoothie a day too! Gotta find the perfect blend!

[photo credit]

To get an idea of my current eating habits, this has been my day so far.

BREAKFAST: Pumpkin Spice Coffee with Hazelnut Milk and two packets of Raw Sugar. (I swear its the only time I eat sugar and its raw and its rare that I drink coffee anyway. I drink tea with agave. Plus it was a blizzard in NY today. I’m entitled to a cup of joe today! Mainly I stay away from it though. I normally buy coffee beans to make my brown sugar coffee scrub.)

LUNCH: Hummus Sandwich with Basil, Tomato, Cucumber and Onion. Tomato Soup. Water. (This was a good lunch, although I’m interested in a raw soup. Gotta find a recipe!)

Ok, just did a quick youtube search. Found this amazing Raw Spicy Tomato Soup. (The recipe begins around the 4:30 mark)  Seems so simple to make. Gonna have to try it out!

So….I’m taking it one recipe at a time. One raw soup at a time. Eventually my goal is to be 50% raw and 49% vegan. And of course, I’ll track my progress and random musings here on Cafe LaShay.

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