Have You Ever Thought About Becoming A Vegan?
If you have followed my posts for a while you know that, last year, I took a Forks Over Knives cooking class through Rouxbe Culinary School.
(You may have realized that I have slowly been transferring my posts, about my class, from my original blog to this new website.)
You might also remember that one of the reasons behind my new-found interest in a plant-based diet was because my husband, Poo, was diagnosed with heart disease about 2 1/2 years ago.
Even though Poo and I never intended to fully embrace the vegan diet, I did want to learn more about it and how to cook the most flavorful meals without meat or dairy. Cutting down on our consumption of those products was the purpose.
Fast forward to this year ………
I am re-thinking veganism.
You see ……………. after exhausting all natural remedies, I surrendered to HRT and have taken a hormone replacement for 6 years.
If my symptoms were not severe, I wouldn’t be taking anything. But, the sleepless nights, horrific night sweats, and scathing hot flashes every 5-15 minutes throughout the day were finally too much for me to combat on my own.
I tried eliminating the HRT after taking it for about a year and a half but, it didn’t work so I asked my doctor to lower my dosage. Although my body eventually acclimated to the lower dose of estrogen/progestin, it took many, many months of adjustment.
I recently had my dosage lowered, once again, to the lowest dosage available.
The HRT that I take is made from the urine of pregnant mares. Ick.... Not to mention, according to PETA, these animals suffer extreme cruelty in the process. Another concerning side note is, there is evidence that mammography screening is not as accurate for women who take HRT.
I’m sure you can understand where I’m going with this.
I have to say though, since I have been on this lowest dosage of HRT for the past 7 weeks, this time my body has not had the same severe reactions to the reduction as it has in the past.
How could that be?
I can only think that it might be because I have eaten less meat and dairy ever since I took my cooking class. Could it be that, in an attempt to build a healthier heart and lifestyle, I inadvertently have helped my menopausal situation?
I remember reading an article, last year, about a woman who completely banished her menopausal symptoms by following a mostly raw vegan diet. I went searching for that article and additional information on that very subject.
As it turns out, there have been numerous studies validating that by following a vegan diet can, not only reduce the effects of hot flashes but also, completely eliminate menopausal disturbances without the help of HRT!
SUPER BOWL SUNDAY 2018 FUN FACT:
Tom Brady is NOT a vegan, as reported. According to his personal chef, he still eats meat.
Even though hormone replacement therapy can be such a benefit for many Baby Boomer women in the short-term, taking it long-term was never my plan.
There are plant-based forms of hormone replacement therapy.
Oh, how I would love to eliminate HRT!
I think it’s time to try the vegan diet and see if it will work for me.
As if conforming to a gluten-free diet out of necessity isn’t enough, now I’m choosing to take on another dietary challenge?
After giving up real pretzels (wheat pretzels) and a real pizza crust (wheat crusts), I’m not thrilled with the idea of giving up more of my favorite foods like shrimp, ahi tuna and cheese but I have to give it my best shot.
Otherwise, I’ll never know. 🙂
Besides, what do I have to lose?
Wish me luck, and if anyone has any useful tips to make this transition easier, please ……… please drop me a note. I welcome any advice!
“Pharmaceutical Drugs Do Not Heal, They Only Treat Symptoms.” – Chris Wark
xoxo, Katy