My definition of health -

I've been asked how I can drink diet coke and be a vegetarian.

I guess I wish the question was more like why instead of how. How seems really accusatory, as if diet coke might contain meat. But I get what they mean. People think vegetarianism is a choice stemming strictly from health or health concerns. And for some, I'm sure it is. But for me, mostly it's a preference. I believe you can consume meat and still make very healthy food choices. I also believe you can be a vegetarian and make very poor food choices. One is not exclusive of the other.

I fully understand Diet Coke contains some questionable ingredients and is not 'healthy.' But it tastes so darn good and I've decided for me personally, drinking one a day (ummm, sometimes two) is okay.

I know a girl who consumes no sweeteners - natural or artificial, not even fruit. How you can live and function in this society and not ingest sweeteners in any form is beyond me. Short of eating straight from the ground, stockyard, or fishery, everything else has to be closely scrutinized.  And is she any healthier for it? That's questionable. Her activity doesn't include much more than walking to and from the car to the office.

I also know a guy who eats only these 4 things:

     1. fruit/veggies

     2. nuts/seeds

     3. red wine

     4. dark chocolate

Whaaat?  Really - true story. I don't know how he does it. (Maybe if you drink enough red wine, you don't miss chips and salsa quite so much? I don't know...) But again, Thanksgiving dinner? Office Christmas party? Going out to a restaurant with family or friends? Forget it.


Health is important to me. And how and what we eat absolutely affects, if not - dictates to a large extent - our health. But for me, health is physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental. If you told me I could never have another chocolate chip cookie as long as I live -- shoot me now.

I believe health should add to your happiness.

I could limit myself to totally vegan, completely organic, no sweeteners, nothing artificial, and omit processed anything ever, but I don't think I'd be very happy. That's why the 80% Rule is my mantra. I choose foods that make me feel good and are (mostly) good for me, foods that ensure I can do all the things I want to do with the energy with which I'd like to do them, and still be happy along the way.

It just so happens, diet coke, peanut m&m's, and the occasional chocolate chip cookie, make me happy.

And thankfully, so does working out.

:)