It’s hard to believe that I’m starting the 6th month of the LIFE Project!
Six months of walking 10K steps per day, meditating for 60 minutes, reciting my Sanskrit mantra, my affirmations, reading a book of the month and doing the monthly challenge.
It’s a lot. I won’t deny that. There are days when I really feel the pressure to get everything done – and still remember that this journey is about being intentional and mindful.
But no good change comes from being in your comfort zone, I have found.
This project has already changed my life – forever.
Five Months of the LIFE Project
Five months in, I’ve gained some deep insights. I’m learning a lot about myself and what I’m capable of.
More than that, I’m finding that I am really mindful in some moments, and I completely forget about my own mindfulness in others.
I feel more in shape and have more energy than I think I ever have.
I find that meditation allows my brain to slow down – if but just for an hour a day.
I’m pushing myself to do things I never thought I’d do: trying the vegan thing, getting rid of 200 or more pieces of clothing, walking everywhere, building connections, changing my mental chatter, and publishing.
Maybe I thought I’d eventually publish, but I knew if I was accountable to people, I’d follow through. I do not like letting people down.
Summary of August – Publishing and Editing
I can say I fulfilled all the requirements for August.
In the last month I…
- published the Tree of Life (TOL): A Personal Development Journal
- decided NOT to publish the paranormal fiction novels
- so that I could publish the TOL journal, I needed to do massive amounts of editing
- read “The Alchemist,” “The Little Prince,” and “A Wrinkle in Time”
- participated in a spending fast
- did vegan recipe research
- and continued with the core part of the LIFE project: meditation, mantras, affirmations, journaling, and 10K daily steps
Here are some little fun anecdotes from the last month:
- I didn’t publish the paranormal fiction novels in favor of writing flash fiction. I find it’s more fun and I’d like to compile those stories of inspiration into a possible book. I realized that so much work and marketing go into another whole identity (my other pen name) that I just don’t think putting resources into that would be wise at this time.
Nearing totality. The shadows became sickle-shaped.
- It might have been 31 August, but I DID get that journal published. I worked on editing it for several hours most days.
- I read “The Alchemist” in about two days at the beginning of the month. “The Little Prince” took about a week, and “A Wrinkle in Time” took me all the way up to 31 August to finish. My favorite of the three was “The Alchemist.” The other two had inspirational elements, but I found that though they were well-written and had unique storylines and perspectives, I just didn’t find the transformational inspiration I was looking for like I did in “The Alchemist.” THAT is such a powerful book!
- For the spending fast, I purchased pretty much only what was needed. I did get a chai and a green tea latte on two occasions, but I could classify that as a need: staving off dehydration. Oh, and I met with visiting family at a local pub for drinks. Otherwise, there was no clothes-buying, restaurant-going, or buying of any material goods besides groceries. Evaluating need vs. want can be pretty powerful.
Vegan recipe research enabled me to start on 1 September with a pantry-full of vegan items purchased at the grocery store during the month of August (more on that below).- On the day of the solar eclipse – 21 August – we hiked nearly 8 miles (and 20K steps) to find the perfect spot. I had four full bottles of water with me, plus rain gear, a lunch for two, and a light jacket. I pulled my right thigh muscle bad enough that I had a noticeable limp for 4 days. To that end, I had to use up some time in my LIFE days supply. All totaled up: 3 and 2/5 days used. I had to rest my leg, though. With each day I rested it, it felt ten times better, so I know it was the right thing to do. Eucalyptus and Peppermint essential oils really helped, too. (My device never registers the first day of the month – no idea why.)
- I DID NOT edit my travel journal from July, but I wasn’t sure I would have time, anyways. Now I’m thinking I’ll just publish a cohesive whole book at the end of the project. Any paramount objections?
September LIFE Project
You already know the big intention for this month: 30 days of going vegan. I’ve been building up to this since the start of the project, slowly incorporating vegan-type foods into my diet.
Granted, I was eating eggs and cheese all the way up until 31 August. I’m a little nervous about that.
But, on 31 August, I made this great-tasting southwestern tofu scramble for breakfast and using turmeric made it seem a lot like eggs, and I was happy. It was incredibly good and lasted for two breakfasts.
People have asked why I’m doing this particular challenge this month. Other than needing time to build up to it, I’m doing it for the following reasons mainly:
- I couldn’t kill an animal myself. If I can’t do that, what gives me the right to eat one that someone else killed?
- I watched a video a few months ago about the state of the agriculture industry in the United States. Granted, this doesn’t include small family farms that believe in the humane treatment of animals, but I want to test myself and see if I can NOT participate in this terrible system. After watching that video, I cried until my eyes were so red and puffy, I could barely get through the rest of the day.
- Eating a plant-based diet is one of the best ways to “go green” – it’s much better for the planet than raising livestock. Less smelly, too.
- I think that as a result of all my meditation, I feel an acute awareness of suffering – much more so than I ever have. I’ve heard it said that many Buddhist monks become vegan for this reason.
“We need to consume in such a way that keeps our compassion alive,” [Thich Nhat Hanh] stated.
“And yet many of us consume in a way that is very violent. Forests are cut down to raise cattle for beef, or to grow grain for liquor, while millions in the world are dying of starvation.
Reducing the amount of meat we eat and alcohol we consume by 50 percent is a true act of love for ourselves, for the Earth and for one another.
Eating with compassion can already help transform the situation our planet is facing, and restore balance to ourselves and the Earth.” – Thich Nhat Hanh at One Green Planet (retrieved 3 September, 2017).
Let me be clear about something: these reasons – IN NO WAY – make me want to stand on some proverbial sanctimonious pulpit preaching about the virtues of being vegan. A. I do not want to be a hypocrite – I was eating meat on and off up until a year ago. B. Food and eating are as personal to people as religion and spirituality are, and people get extremely defensive about their eating habits.
I noticed this when I first started telling people I wanted to do this challenge. Not just one person, but EVERY person I’ve mentioned this to (who is not vegan) has felt the need to be on the defensive – no matter the way I say it.
I’m no judge here. I do not judge anyone for their life choices (well, consciously anyways…I suppose we all have our inherent things that we can all be judgmental about) unless it hurts me or other people. For me, my life choices extend to not wanting to hurt any animal, as well.
Besides, my own wonderful husby is an omnivore and we’ve even talked at length about how easy it is to sound “preachy” when it comes to plant-based eating. What can I say? The man likes his bacon.
Will I share with others that I’m doing a vegan challenge? Yes, but only when it’s relevant. I’ll also share about my plant-based eating experiences here.
As a funny side note, my poor mother-in-law is completely beside herself as to why I would do this. I have to give her some slack: she’s an octogenarian, almost a nonagenarian. She eats meat every single day with every single meal and as done so for 88 years. I can’t expect her to understand why I’m nutty (in the “I’m consuming a large amount of nuts and grains this month” sense – ha!).
I’m very much a live and let live kind of person. If you crave being an omnivore, then great, that’s your choice. I won’t judge you for it.
On to the fun stuff!
My Vegan Staples
As I got ready for September, I began taking an inventory of all my favorite veggie things I’ve eaten in recent months. I went to the grocery store and stocked up on them. They include:
-
- edamame
- tofu
- coconut milk
- soy milk
- quinoa
- black beans
- rice
- pasta
- garbanzo beans/hummus
- regular potatoes
- kale
- lima beans
- corn
- veggie crumbles
- veggie patties
- cabbage
- sweet potatoes
- vegan butter
I’m learning how to acquire a taste for regular mushrooms (but chagas? I’ll have a cup of chaga anytime!). I’ve been coming up with different recipes.
Now, while I do love a good meal, I don’t love the time it takes to make them. Enter the slow cooker. Sometimes I have two of those things going in my kitchen. I have a small one and a large oval one. They do all the work but you still get wholesome food. A win-win!
In the coming weeks, I’ll share about my favorite recipes. So far, I have been loving the salads I’ve made, my favorite snack is pretzels and hummus, almond milk ice cream is sinfully divine.
[bctt tweet=”A simple meal like edamame, quinoa and sliced homegrown tomatoes is just pure bliss. #goingvegan #intuitiveandspiritual” username=”n2itvnspiritual”]
I’m already noticing how this challenge has made me really think out of the box with new ways of cooking meals. It’s really fun!
I made this recently. I found out two things: vegan cheese is an acquired taste and vegan cornbread is as good, if not better than the original stuff.
Other September Intentions
Instead of reading a “real” book (though I probably won’t be able to resist reading some sort of personal development book), I will be pouring over vegan recipe books.
I have a couple checked out from the library:
- “The Vegan Slow Cooker” by Kathy Hester
- “Vegan Vegetarian Omnivore: Dinner for everyone at the table” by Anna Thomas
Plus, I’ve found some incredibly useful websites with truly delectable recipes.
Poetry
You may know that sometime in May, I started writing a haiku a day. I never made this a specific intention because I knew I’d be traveling in July and if I ran out of time or a charge on my phone while trying to compose a poem and then share it, then there would be no pressure to do that along with all the other requirements of this project.
To that end, I have tried to write a haiku a day and they have been getting quite the response over on Twitter. I love writing them, then creating a pretty image to go with them, and it seems that folks enjoy them, too.
That was the premise behind creating that survey a few weeks ago to determine what to work on next. Most folks voted for a haiku coloring book.
So, for this month, I will formalize that process: I’ll continue writing haikus and posting them over on Twitter. But, I want to write lots more just for the coloring book – haikus of the inspirational variety.
So, that’s what I’ll be doing: haiku writing and drawing coloring pages and bringing the two together. I may also have to pick up the art of hand-lettering because typing the words in after doing an organic drawing seems a little robotic, but we’ll see how that works out.
The target is to publish at the end of October, but it might go into November with the publishing process.
It’ll be interesting to see how I feel health-wise at the end of September. I felt pretty incredible at the end of June with all the water drinking.
Aw, what can I say, but you are awesome-sauce my dear, sweet friend. I loved the recap, as well as where you are planning to go with all your goals in the next month or so, too. Hugs and just hoping this week so far has been a great one for you!! Happy Tuesday now xoxo <3
Hey, sweet Janine! I am sorry for the delay in responding my dear. Thank you for your wonderful feedback. So far I am enjoying this vegan journey, and an looking for ways to sustain it beyond just this month. I am missing cheese though. Ha ha. Sending you big hugs, and I hope your week has been great so far, too. Happy Saturday! XOXO
And people call me an overachiever! Look at you, Lil Sis! I’m proud of you for sticking with this for six months…seriously….you’ve got cajones! LOL I wish I had you here as my personal coach to get me off my ass and exercising.
Busy day so must run…hugs from smoky, hot Olympia
Big Bro! You make me smile! I’m not really an overachiever, just someone who wants to make a little difference in the big big world. Yeah, I can’t believe that I’m going on six months with this project. I’ve taken a lot, a lot of steps. Journaling, and all sorts of fun things. As far as coaching, funny you say that. After all this is over with, I’ve wondered if that would set me up to be some kind of coach, LOL. I hope the farmers market went well this week, and that it’s not so smoky in Olympia anymore, and that you’ve had a great week. Sending you big big hugs, and wishes for a nice weekend, too.
Kudos on more progress in your year of living intentionally Cynthia. Your haiku project sounds fun and hats off for going vegan and not judging those of us who don’t! hugs, Brad
Brad, thank you so much for being part of this journey. I hope that by the end of this project, the life of intention that I intended to live, really does come to fruition. As for the haiku project, I am enjoying it, but I’m also curiously entertaining a few ideas to go along with this haiku project. As an incorporating a few other fun little exercises, or something like that. I don’t know, just thinking, but it’s always fun to be looking for good ideas for other fun projects. In any case, I hope you’ve had a wonderful week and sending you big hugs.
I would like to be a vegetarian for the reasons you give. My brain doesn’t work well without meat. But I’ve been eating less and less and looking for compassionately raised meat. I wish all meat was raised that way.
Marlene, you are so sweet. I am enjoying this vegan thing, but I am looking for ways to circumvent the need for cheese. I am missing my cheese. Or I could ask,”who moved my cheese?” Ha ha. In any case, I have been without me for a long while and yes, I’m thinking that in the future, if I eat eggs or cheese, if it’s compassionately and humanely raised, then perhaps it might not be too bad to eat it. But well, we’re all works in progress and striving for compassion is the main thing. Sending you big hugs, and much light, XOXO.
Wow! Your commitment is truly inspiring Cyndi. Really. Especially, going vegan. While I will commisserate with the reason for going vegan, I don’t know that I could go without “non plant based protein” 😀
I am enjoying reading of your journey.
*Hugs*
Sweet Denise, thank you for your kind words. I’m loving the challenge of this project, but I am not above admitting that I do miss my cheese. When people ask me what my favorite food is, I say cheese. Lots and lots of cheese. And I still can’t make myself like vegan cheese. I’d rather just not have cheese at all and avoid it altogether. But you’re in the same camp with my husband: he will not go without non-plant-based protein. Ha ha. I’m so glad that you’re enjoying reading about my crazy journey, and hopefully something good will come out of it. Giggle. Sending you big hugs. XOXO
Hi Cynthia, at last I am in your comment box.. What a performance I keep having when I log into your site independently from the WP email.. I emailed you on the scenario. 🙂
I then pulled up your email post alerts and thought to try to access this way and it has worked.. I had not been in my email recently as I kind of tuned out for a while.. Any way I am here . that is what matters..
And So pleased to be here to. 🙂
My Daughter went Vegan oh perhaps about a year ago now She had been a vegetarian for many many years and the progression to Vegan she said just sort of felt right a year ago..
And I know you will feel the benefits so long as you make sure your vitamin intake is balanced..
I was total veggie for several years oh way back when I was doing more of my Spiritual development and teaching. But I was not careful with my diet and my health took a dive as I was not making sure I was eating the correct protein that we needed.. This was in the days before my daughter ran a health food store and learnt about nutrition .
So today I eat a little Chicken and fish and avoid red meat.
I have four days a week which are meat free altogether.. And you are right, people can be very funny when you talk about Veganism and food..
I love the goals you have set out again for your self.. And it is wonderful that you seem at the moment to be on a wonderful roller coaster ride of enlightenment as you manifest to yourself your desires.. It is wonderful to see..
And yes i said wonderful three times in one sentence.. Because you are amazing.. 🙂
Now lets see if I can comment upon your Book Post.. I so tried to leave a comment there the other day xxx
Love Sue <3
My sweet Sue! Oh how I love your words. Your comments are always so in-depth, and thoughtful, and give me so much to chew on. I am sorry about the website troubles: when it went down it main people have to re-sign in and all kinds of stuff. I think it’s all that resolved now, but if you have any issues, please let me know. I did get your sweet email message, and I loved you getting that, too. And yes, seeing you here, just makes my whole day. I’m not sure if you told me before that your daughter went vegan, but that’s so interesting. I had not recalled that. I was hoping to kind of make a vegan progression, as well. I admit I’m missing cheese right now, but I’ve already gone nine days without it, so what’s another 21 or so? And by then, if I don’t crave it anymore, who’s to say I might even return eating it? I have been trying to make sure to take my vitamins. Thank you for the gentle reminder. I so appreciate it. I know that when I’m not careful with what I eat, I start to get low energy, and start to get sick more often and for longer periods of time. In the office where I work now part-time, folks have been getting sick. Well it’s a little scary for me, because I do not like getting sick, I just thought to myself well, I’ll just keep washing my hands, drinking lots of water, and now I’ve got a completely vegan diet on my side, too. Ha ha. And your daughter runs a health food store? That’s pretty awesome. On and off since 2004, I have eaten poultry, but completely gave up red meat. And I like your idea about four days a week being meat free altogether. You gave me the idea that in the future, I can spend most of my time as a vegan, but if I do need a little extra cheese protein that wouldn’t be the end of the world. And you notice that too, huh? How people get really funny talking about their diets. It’s kind of like talking about religion or your political values. I just find that if people are open to it and the conversation will naturally come up, but if you don’t know someone, or you don’t know where they stand on different issues, it’s best just to let those issues lie. I am enjoying this month, though. I’ve tried plenty of different things. Tonight, I’m having sweet potatoes baked in the slow cooker. I M more in love with my slow cooker than I ever happened. I must use that thing at least every other day, if not every day. It makes these new recipes really easy. I would have no idea how to cook them on the stove. Ha ha. I am so enjoying this roller coaster ride of enlightenment as you say. I love that phrase! Just the other day, I arrived at school declaring that I wanted to lead mindfulness sessions and meditation sessions with parents and families. And, I’m trying to figure out how to conduct a workshop based on the personal development journal that I published, too. It’s all very interesting, and is very enlightening. My work world, my personal world, and my personal brand, her all merging together and, I realize, that it’s all about intentions. You said wonderful three times in one sentence? Well, you are wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! Each time we interact, each time you leave an insight, I think I learned something new. At the very least, I feel the love coming from the other side of the pond. And don’t worry about the book post. Alas, I closed comments on that so that I wouldn’t overwhelm people with feeling like they needed to comment. But, he taught me that I should be more Direct and telling people that comments are closed so as to not overwhelm them. Ha! In any case, I’m sending you big smiles, hugs, and so much love and light from across the pond. Have a cup of tea for me. Don’t forget to add some almond milk. Wink wink. 😉
You’re most welcome Cynthia.
Brad, you rock! 🙂
Hi Cynthia, I am so happy to read that lovely reply.. I hope your sister and her family have arrived safe and sound.. My thoughts are with so many out there who are in Irma’s path.. Some blogging friends have had to evacuate, while others have stayed.. One only a mile from the coast line.. So I hope they are OK
And yes when your month is up, and if you feel you need to alter your diet, I am sure a little cheese is not going to hurt..
I want to put you in touch with Lee.. I have had him on my follow list for several years, though to be honest I a have not visited his amazing blog as often as I should
But I have his amazing Vegan Cookbook Parsnips and Peace.. Its AMAZING!.. Really it is
His web site on WP is Here so you can follow him and his recipes.. He has taken off I think in wonderful ways as he’s been on radio and TV.. He lives in Wales in the UK.. But constantly travels and is very mindful of meditation and Spirituality.. So you will love him
His WordPress Blog is https://beachhousekitchen.com/
My Daughter bought me his book when it was first published as a birthday present.. As I had been raving about him, so she followed it up with purchasing his book for me..
So I hope it gives you extra ideas 🙂
Love and Hugs Sue xx <3
Sweet Sue! I apologize for my delay in responding: it’s been a busy week at school. 🙂 My sister and her family ultimately decided to stay and ride out the storm. They weathered it just fine and all is well. Thank you, THANK YOU for your concern and thoughts. You are so wonderful!
Cheese: I do miss it. Though tonight using garlic, soul food seasoning (don’t know if they have that where you are), oregano, paprika, and onions with some silken tofu, I made an “alfredo” sauce and it was so delightfully good on veggie pasta! Thank you for the lead on “Lee.” I love meeting new kindred spirits! How wonderful that you have known each other. I can’t wait to take a look at that vegan cookbook! I’ve put his blog on my blog list to check out. Love, love, love this. Thank you – absolutely thank you – for sharing that with me. 🙂 And what a special birthday present! Oh, I lack the talent of finding such thoughtful gifts…my husby likes building things (he’s building a trailer) and I have been trying to figure out something really thoughtful for his next birthday. He turns 50! It’s still a few months off, but yeah…Thank you again, though! Sending you big hugs! xoxo
i am surprised to know about your sanskrit mantra.. love it.
motivational post..
Sameer – thank you for your comment. I’m definitely into it. I have several favorites!
Dear Cynthia,
I enjoy reading the comments as much as your wonderful update posts. You are an inspiration on every level for sure.
Glad your tech snafus have resolved and hope you are having a peaceful week.
Love and hugs, Maria
Maria – oh you’re so sweet! I love getting into “comment” conversations. Eep! I haven’t had as much time to indulge in the last couple of weeks, but they’re like virtual conversations I’d love to have over virtual tea! Hehe. My week has been filled with activities, but wonderful! I’m grateful I’ve found a groove! 🙂
Sending you hugs, love and light! xoxo
You will not be disappointed with Lee’s cook book and so pleased your sister and family are all ok and there home is ok also..
No worries at all about the delay I figured you would be busy with work and family.. That source sounded tasty and we have garlic seasoning here.. But I do prefer using fresh.. And we grow it and it saves.. 🙂 Thought to be honest we forgot to plant it this year.. But will be planting for next years harvest a few bulbs.. 🙂
Wishing you a good weekend, and Hope Hubbies Birthday is a great one when it comes around, I know the feeling of finding something they like .. 🙂 Enjoy!
Sue 💜
Sue – hehe. Hooray! Yes – I have heads of garlic that sit on my counter at all times just so I can have some fresh garlic whenever I need it. Now, do I smell like a veritable clove? Why yes, I often do! Haha. I hope you’ve had a great weekend, too! Sending you love and light and thank you for the book suggestion. I have it in my “to order” list. Sending you big hugs, too!