Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

Through this Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe journey, I  am learning to shed old thoughts and patterns, willing to find a new path in compassionate living. I’m exploring new foods, a healthier relationship with food and my surroundings and re-shaping my old habits. What I’m also beginning to learn is that one of the most important habits to change is how I treat myself.  This Valentine’s Day I vow to begin to treat myself as a beloved friend. To care for myself as I would care for someone I deeply loved. To listen to my needs and to follow through on them the way I would for a best friend. Not just for today, but for everyday.

For the better part of my life the love I have been willing (or unwilling) to give myself has been conditional…when I lost the weight, when I finally quit smoking, when I had a job with an interesting title or when I worked long enough or hard enough to deserve my own acceptance. I now believe I am ready for a change, ready to accept my own unconditional love.

I am no longer willing to engage in negative self-talk or to play the old negative tapes over and over again in my mind. I am ready to begin to love myself exactly the way I am without trying to mold myself out of fear, insecurity or self-doubt. I will greet each day with the curiosity of a three year old and the opportunities of a 39 year old. I will open my heart and mind to food as a source of vitality and healing while releasing my fear of food as both the cause and cure for pain.  I will continue to find new, exciting and compassionate ways to nourish my body and mind while sharing what I find along the way. As I learn to love myself more I become a more loving person for those I love and that is a beautiful way to celebrate Valentines Day.

In honor of this day of love I would like to share one of my favorite affirmations from Louise L Hay, inspirational author and teacher. It is a call to action to love yourself with  abandon. I am going to try it today and I hope you do too.

Excerpt from Meditations To Heal Your Life By: Louise L Hay

“I treat myself as if I am someone who is deeply loved. All kinds of experiences come and go; through it all, my love for myself is constant. That is not being vain or conceited. People who are vain or conceited  have a lot of self hatred covered by a layer of, “I’m better than you.” Self-love is simply appreciating the miracle of my own being. When I really love myself I cannot hurt another person. To me, the answer to world peace is unconditional love. It begins with self-acceptance and self-love. I no longer wait to be perfect in order to love myself. I accept myself exactly as I am, right here and right now.”

Photo BY: S. Duquet

That kind of inspiration calls for chocolate covered berries. Strawberries are exceptional right now. Last night I melted vegan semi sweet chips in a double boiler low and slow then enrobed these juicy red beauties.

Photo By: S. Duquet

When I appeared in the living room with a small plate full of these femme fatale of the fruit world there was an audible gasp and I thought Sandy might faint. They take only minutes to prepare and are really worth it.

Have a delicious Valentines Day.

Tags: affirmations, chocolate covered strawberries, compassionate eating, dairy free, Louise Hay, Louise L. Hay, Meditations to Heal Your Life, self love, Self Love Day, trying vegetarian, Valentine's Day, vegan, vegan challenge, vegan dessert, vegan experience, vegan Valentines Day, vegan wannabe, vegetarian transition