birthday blues, & beautiful beginnings.

You know that bittersweet feeling you get when you feel your birthday fast approaching? Of course there's those melancholy "I wish I would've done more this year...tried more, traveled more, went to a couple more yoga classes..." thoughts running through your head when the end of a year seems to be close..but more importantly, the sweet part which has brought so much joy and love into my life.

This year, at twenty three years old, I celebrated my fourth year of vegetarianism, and almost a full year of veganism. I attribute so much of my joy, self appreciation, and respect for all walks of life to my 5 year change.  It has inspired this undying passion for food and providing it to the people I love.  It has been the greatest gift I think I have and ever will give to myself, and consequently to the planet.

And with all I have gained from this experience, I am always so humbled and excited to meet someone who has just decided to go vegan.  I met a man the other day at work, who shared with me a documentary called Forks Over Knives. The movie moved him in a way that I could definitely relate to...only five years ago I was reading a memoir called Committed by Dan Mathews, the Senior Vice President at PETA, feeling the same way. Coming from this very controversial organization, it came off crass yet inspiring, and it helped guide my decision to become a rabbit (What my grandpa considers the correct term for veganism.).  Food, Inc (Another incredibly powerful documentary that dissects the status of our food situation) inspired my choice to go full out vegan.

He and his wife, both in their 60's, decided that there is no better time than now to change.

He continued to talk excitedly about his changes and asked as many questions as he could seem to gather.  He explained how his acid reflux and digestive issues have almost completely deteriorated thanks to his new diet.  I told him about VegWeb, an excellent resource for veggie folk or anyone just trying to add more good, vegan food into their diet. 

We parted ways and I couldn't seem to wipe off the excitement he left behind. He has inspired me to write a weekly post, talking about new products, cool sites, & new testimonies from the man himself, who we will call Lamby Gene. ( I found him looking for vegan pancake mix at the store and told him that I was going to write a post about him and this is the name he chose.)

And now, because my Aretha Franklin blues album desperately needs a rest from repeat, I am going to take my birthday blues and shove 'em right out the door.  Because guess what...It is never too late to be the person you want to be, Lamby Gene reminded me of that.

Always, always, always strive to be whatever it is you dream to be because life is too short for all the other mumbo jumbo.