Plant-Based Living

by Alicia Joseph

I’ve followed my plan to eat healthier for about eleven days as part of my thirty days of plant-based eating. I decided I’d been consuming too much processed vegan junk food. My body needed a break from the manufactured foods, and instead fill up with whole foods as close to their natural state as possible.

Most of the recipes I made came from a cookbook written by Dr. John McDougall. He preached a low fat/high carb vegan plant-based diet consisting mostly of potatoes, rice, pasta, beans, and multigrain breads. Although my previous diet consisted of plenty of fruits and vegetables, my snack choices of chips, ice cream, and pastries were counterproductive. To stick with the new diet, my snacks consisted of raw nuts and sliced veggies with hummus. To satisfy my sweet tooth cravings, I turned to fruit, smoothies, or fruit in yogurt. Okay, so I cheated one night with a piece of vegan dark chocolate, but I didn’t eat nearly as much chocolate as I usually did. That’s progress, right? Please say yes. 😊 

The recipes I’ve made have been easy, convenient, and healthy, but there hasn’t been much change in how I look or feel, except that my face broke out in acne I haven’t seen since I was thirteen! I hope it’s a result of all those toxins exiting my body. Maybe? Could be? 

It was unfair for me to judge the impact this plant-based diet had on me because I was experiencing a Myasthenia Gravis flare-up that began before I started the new diet. In fact, it was the flare-up that inspired me to clean up my eating to give my immune system a boost. I was sure the muscle weakness that limited my physical abilities would pass and I would be able to exercise again. And of course, see a more physical change in me. 

I had over two weeks left to go when I decided I wouldn’t abandon eating plant-based. It will always be the majority of my diet with just a splash of the vegan processed junk food I love so much.

Here is a glimpse into one of my books. I hope you enjoy it. 

“When a train runs over a penny, the penny changes form, but it can still be a penny if I want it to be. Or, I can make it be something else.”

Lyssa and her best friend Abbey discover a hideout near the train tracks and spend the summer before sixth grade hanging out and finding freedom from issues at home. Their childhood innocence shatters when the hideout becomes the scene of a tragic death.

As they’re about to graduate from high school, Abbey’s family life spirals out of control while Lyssa is feeling guilty for deceiving Abbey about her sexuality.

After another tragic loss, Lyssa finds out that a penny on the track is sometimes a huge price to pay for the truth.

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Alicia Joseph grew up in Westchester, Illinois. She has many works-in-progress that she hopes to finish soon. Life permitting.

When she is not writing, Alicia enjoys volunteering with animals, rooting for her favorite sports teams, and playing “awesome aunt” to her nine nieces and nephews.

Learn more about Alicia Joseph on her blog. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.