Vegetarian 30-Day Challenge!

Okay, so I joined my mom on a quick trip to the local market just about an hour ago... it was going great. We picked out some fresh produce, said hi to some people that we ran into, and then the horror began... (cue suspense music) we walked to the meat section!! aaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!! There I was, pushing the shopping cart, with no where to go, no where to turn, nothing to take my attention from what was in front of me... the nasty meat section! There I was, looking directly into it, dumbfounded, wondering what compelled us, the human race, to do such a horrible thing! I was starring straight into a cow's head, its eyes looking straight at me!! A head that belonged to a slaughtered cow!! I am not being dramatic, I am not exaggerating, tears really started to form in my eyes and when I least expected it, my mom turned around, saw the look in my face, and asked me why I was crying! I had tears rolling down my eyes, down my cheeks! I could not understand why we do this to the animals! There I stood with a cow's head, tripe, hoofs, tongue, stomach... all in the meat section refrigerator for sale.. for human consumption! What ever made a human think that eating an animals tripe, stomach lining, hoofs, tongue or any other body part was healthy for us!? I don't understand. What I saw a few moments ago and the emotions I felt at that moment made me realize that I made the right decision a few months back in becoming a vegetarian! I am so proud of myself and now I know I will continue in this path, with this commitment! If you want to find out more about becoming a vegetarian, please visit the PETA website and find out more... also, please take a moment and consider joining me on my vegetarian path; click here to pledge to be a vegetarian for 30 days! Also, please take a moment to watch the video on those sites.

And if you do decide to join me, please let me know, I would love to hear from you!

Become A Vegetarian, Save The Animals, Get Healthy

Hey everyone, I wanted to share a little something with everyone… Like I have mentioned before, for the longest time, I considered making changes to my eating habits, which included taking out meat and other animal products from what I eat; essentially becoming a vegetarian. I thought about it for a very long time, but never had the courage or the will power to take that step. I finally decided it was the perfect time to make the change and read “Skinny Bitch”. Reading that book helped me realize I was making the right choice. I thought that becoming and being a vegetarian was going to be so hard. But you know what, it has been the easiest thing I have ever done! I am not doing this to lose weight, though I have lost a few pounds, it’s an added bonus! I am doing this because of the cruelty to the animals, all so we could have a delicious steak, burger, fajita, etc. I have to admit, my first weekend as a vegetarian was hard… I forgot!!! And I ate some delicious tacos al pastor. Yes, they were delicious. I haven’t said meat isn’t delicious!! But then I realized what I was doing and the decision I had just made; I let myself eat the tacos anyway and enjoyed them as my last non-vegetarian meal!! That was about a month ago, for my sisters’ graduation party!! I haven’t gone back since!! I have found healthy, animal-free meals that I am truly enjoying. Believe me, it’s easy! For example, I made spaghetti last night. My husband hasn’t joined me in becoming a vegetarian, so when the pasta was done I separated some into a different pot for me, I added the marinara spaghetti sauce to both pots of pasta and then added the cooked ground meat to my husband’s spaghetti and mixed it up. He loved it and I loved mine, without meat! I have discovered new snacks, fruits and vegetables and tried different salads!

I listed some websites here that you can take a look at and perhaps join me! Copy and paste the links into a new tab or window:

• http://www.peta.org/
• http://www.goveg.com/
• http://www.vegcooking.com/makingthetransition.asp
• http://www.goveg.com/factoryFarming.asp - video on animal cruelty, watch and you’ll become a vegetarian as well!

Also, here is a link if you would like to pledge to become a vegetarian for 30 days!
https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2055
I'm excited to try healthy, delicious foods and help save animals from the horrible cruelty of the meat industry. Would you join me in pledging to try a vegetarian diet for 30 days? You will be sent links to delicious recipes, restaurant reviews, and product recommendations as well as the 'Top Six Tips for Making the Switch'.

My wish would be that you all join me… but I thank you ahead of time for reading this far, looking into it and perhaps considering it. If you do decide to make the switch, let me know. Together we can save thousands of animals and become healthier along the way!

Thanks! Much love,
Estrella Castillo *Star*

P.S. - I also recommend that you read "Skinny Bitch"

Skinny B*tch

I read Skinny Bitch late last month and it totally has changed me! I have been eating no meat, none! It has helped me make better eating choices, anywhere I go! For example, I love Chipotle! I would always get the Burrito Bowl with their delicious rice, pinto beans, chicken, cheese, sour cream, lettuce and guacamole. Totally fattening and unhealthy! Now I still get the Burrito Bowl, but now I get the vegetarian option with their delicious rice, black beans, salsa, bell peppers, lettuce and guacamole. (No meat, black beans instead of pinto beans because they put bacon in their pinto beans, no cheese or sour cream). And you know, it still tastes very delicious, you don't even realize what you "left out" and you still satisfy your hunger. It really does fill you up! Of course I have found other eating options at other places, but the reason I mention Chipotle is because that is what I am eating right no! LOL. Craving McDonald's? I get a salad! Wendy's? Salad!! There are good choices everywhere you go, you just have to be willing to try, and actually want to make those changes! I have also found great websites and resources and vegetarian meal plans. All in all, I am loving this change! I really do hope that this isn't just a "fad diet" for me, but instead a real, committed, life-long change. If you feel up to it, I say you read the book. But be warned, it might just scar you even if you think this is not something you want to do. But, I have met a few people that have read the book and it did nothing to their eating habits. For me, it was a personal choice I was willing and looking forward to making, even before reading the book. I had been thinking about this for a long time, but reading the book just helped me take that step and make it a serious committment. It's not just about losing weight & eating better, but also about the treatment of the sweet animals. :(

To learn more, visit PETA.
(I don't want to go into details because I don't want to "preach" this to you. To each its own.)