The belly rules the mind.

That saying is an old Spanish proverb that I have been unconsciously living by the past couple months.  I think as a human race, we have forgotten about nourishing our spirits through the foods we are putting in our body.  We go for what is fastest, cheapest, yummiest, etc.  With what was a constant struggle through my teen-adulthood with weight, I didn't realize how incredibly affected my soul was when I was putting garbage into it.  I felt like I was waging a war inside myself because I had thoughts of guilt and feelings of having no self control.  Now, I don't believe in feeling guilty about food.  I strive to eat what feeds my soul, what replenishes my tired, stressed, and sometimes cranky body.  I began this process because I know what the struggle with health is right now.  I was a statistic of it, and I know how hard it is to not only be fit and healthy, but to have peace of mind.  The relationship between finding my peace with my body and mind and what I am putting into it is such a fine line sometimes I forget.  If there is one thing I have learned through this process, it is to stop beating yourself up.  Stop focusing on food's caloric intake, or what might fit you into those skinny jeans. 

I had this talk with my mom yesterday who is starting to jump on the train a little.  What I preach is not to go full out vegan, to stop smoking, to exercise more...even though those would be amazing.  I know what baby steps create: Big mama steps! We need to just start making smarter choices.  My mom was here while I was getting ready for the week, cooking lots of bulk food.  She is starting to see you can just make some sacrifices for things that overall are much healthier, and will taste just as good

Vegenaise is an amazing vegan mayo, Earth Balance makes an amazing buttery spread (and "margarine sticks" for baking), Tofutti makes a delish sour cream, Daiya makes some really great cheese, and you are cutting so much of the fat content out.

Alicia Silverstone's Vegan Must-haves when she appeared on Oprah:

The List
Follow Your Heart cheese
Vegenaise
Earth Balance butter
Field Roast sausages
Tempeh bacon
Sunspire chocolate chips
Annie's Naturals Goddess organic salad dressing
Brown rice penne pasta
Organic olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Gardein Chick'n Scallopini (meatless)
Amy's Organics soups
Whole grain rice
Organic EdenBlend Rice & Soy Beverage
Hemp milk
Leafy greens
Maple syrup as a sugar alternative
Rice Dream Mud Pie (Mint is Alicia's favorite)
Whole grains
Newman's Own Organics Dairy-Free Newman-O's cookies
Luna Bar (Alicia likes the chocolate peppermint stick flavor

We can still enjoy tasty food, but with a bigger conscience about the effects it has on our body and earth. <3