Then it happened
Yes, that happened last night.
It’s the chicken that took me over a year building up to purchasing, seasoning, cooking, and then eating. I’ve been contemplating the above chicken breast for a year.
I know this is going to upset some people, some readers are going to love it, but before you form your opinion, please hear me out:
I’ve been lacking in the nutrient department. As a fitness professional, I’m very active, lift weights and workout often, and need a higher amount of protein (as well as the other macronutrients) to support my activity level. For the past two years +, I’ve done everything under the sun to try and make sure I was getting the nutrients I needed.
Ever since last summer, I’ve felt like my brain was in a fog. Some days I was dizzy (even though I was getting enough calories), other days I was so exhausted I spent the afternoon on the couch. I didn’t feel *right*. I thought that the way I was feeling had to be something else, since I had researched so much about nutrition and was convinced that my high-raw, quasitarian style of eating was giving me everything I needed.
Every year that my jeans got tighter, I brushed it off, even though I knew that it had nothing to do with my gym habits. I was helping the earth and feeding myself what I thought was the best food possible – if that meant gaining a few el bees, or my body fat % going up, I was cool with that.
Starting last winter, I had a series of blood tests to see what the dealio was and why I felt so wonky. All of my tests came back in the normal range, but my vitamin levels were low, even though I was a juicing and salad fanatic. My doctor was surprised when I told him my eating style (shocker) and suggested that I start taking a multi-vitamin and a B-complex immediately, which I did.
The thing is, our body isn’t intended to process chemicals. It’s more beneficial to get nutrients through actual food than through vitamins, which are only insurance to fill the gaps. Many people are excellent at getting the nutrients they need and feeling fulfilled from a vegetarian or vegan diet, but I’m not one of those people. After turning my meals into a science experiment (B12? Check. Protein? Check. Iron? Check), I’ve come to a realization that I need to have white meat back in my life. I’ve been eating fish, eggs and goat cheese this entire time, but it’s not possible (or healthy) to eat fish everyday (mercury levels, toxins) and eggs can only be tolerated so often. Protein powder is an excellent supplement, but I’ve been dependent on it for the bulk of my daily source of protein. By eating poultry, this will be a good way for me to get some variety in my life and get the vitamins I’ve been missing out on.
I’ve also realized that I WANT to eat chicken again. Even though I was thrilled with the way I was eating and the meals I was creating, I always felt like something was missing.
This was an extremely hard decision to make. I talked about this numerous times with the Pilot, with my homeopathic doc (who also urged me to eat more animal protein) and even had dreams about chicken.. I’ve been in a huge ethical dilemma with myself, but realized this is what needs to happen.
I love animals, I love the earth, but I also love myself, my body and need to take care of it.
I always tell you guys to follow your heart and do what you think is best for you. I’m not going to say it’s going to be like this forever (when I stopped eating meat, I had no idea how long it would last), and like before, I’m not labeling myself. I’m rolling with what feels right for me, and right now this feels right. I encourage all of you to do what you need to do, adapt your eating styles as you see *fit*, and now it’s time for me to do the same. I don’t ever want to influence you guys, and like I’ve said many times before, just because some silly blogger is doing something doesn’t mean you need to follow suit. The eating plan that’s best for you most likely isn’t one that you’ll find in a diet/nutrition/healthy living book or research article- it’s one that you create and discover for yourself.
So last night, I bought a pack of certified-organic free range chicken from Trader Joes. Just like I was making dinner for the Pilot, I prepared it with some of my favorite things: stuffed with goat cheese from the farmer’s market, sundried tomatoes, arugula and kalamata olives. I thought it might taste disgusting, I’d get sick and that would be the end of it. It was amazing. With the first bite, I felt a sense of relief wash over my body, and I knew that was what I had been needing all along. After eating, I felt pleasantly full and satisfied- my stomach didn’t hurt in the least bit.
A couple of notes:
–This isn’t going to turn into the chicken blog, especially since I don’t blog all of my eats. I’ll still be providing vegan, raw, gluten-free, vegetarian and occasional poultry-friendly recipes. Something for everyone 🙂 I like to think that the little blog is more fitness, recipe and shenanigan-focused than “here’s what I ate today”, so I don’t think that much will change.
-Family members, please don’t get too excited. I’m not going to eat just any ol’ chicken- unless it’s USDA certified organic free range, I’ll stick to my usual fish and veggie-ish eats 😉
–We’re lucky to be in the position where we can freely choose how to nourish our bodies. Many people around the world are not as fortunate and must eat the food that’s available to them, without questioning what it is—they’re just happy to eat. I’m so thankful to have the ability to fuel myself the way I’d like to. My eating habits are still a work in progress, but through this journey, here’s what’ I’ve learned:
With the right education, tools and planning, it can be easily to eat healthfully. It can be easy to be a vegetarian, be raw, be a vegan, be *insert label here*. Finding out what works best for you is the hardest part. Every body is different and how we choose to eat is a highly personal decision. It’s up to us to respect our nutrition preferences and take what we can learn from each other.
I know that a lot of you won’t agree with my choice, but it’s my educated, heart-driven decision and I would never be anything but upfront and real with you guys. I totally expect some mean-spirited comments, but this is who I am, and I’m going to be true to myself.
Hope you guys have a great day <3
Gina
Ps. Congrats to Annie, the macaroon and goodie package winner!
Please send me your info to fitnessista at gmail dot com 🙂 Thank you so much to all of you for entering- I LOVE reading about your goals 🙂
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Thanks for sharing this post Gina. I think it’s great that you are doing what you feel is best for your body. For a good while now I’ve been contemplating adding meat back into my diet due to some symptoms I’ve been experiencing. I even mentioned to Isaac that if we got an organic turkey at Thanksgiving I might be willing to try it. We went to his Aunt’s house and it wasn’t organic so I passed. <–Isaac was sad. 🙂 I've never liked red meat so I know I won't be eating that anytime soon but we shall see if I can build up the courage to try chicken or turkey again.
Kudos to you for being so open and honest with your readers – that's one reason I love your blog!
Gina, It’s your body and only you know whats right for you. I’m sure everyone will understand, everyone loves you, your an inspiration to us all to stay motivated. Love reading your posts. I personally like chicken, and have many recipes for different ways of cooking it.
Congratulations!!! I admire your honest and doing what’s best for YOU. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters – what is right and good for you.
Good for you!!
Gina, this post is amazing. You’ve made so many great points and everyone has a different journey to health in life. What works for you may not work for someone else, and I am so in agreement with the vitamins (being chemicals). The only thing I take is cod liver oil in the morning, liquid form. I stopped everything else a longg time ago- nutrients come from food, not from labs. I haven’t eaten meat since October(except for fish) which may not seem like a long time, but my choice was because I heard and researched about the terrible ways animals are treated and what our meat REALLY consists of. USDA Organic free range in my opinion is the ONLY way to go. At that point, I had only been eating it rarely anyway, and only organic. I don’t think we need to eat meat every single day, and that you’ll be able to get the vitamins and nutrients you need by incorporating it into your diet a few times a week.
I’m so glad you are honest with us, and I swear we have the same taste buds 🙂 I’m on this same road of trying to find out what works for me. After researching gluten and its affects (not just digestive) I’m starting to link it all. I want to incorporate meat back into my diet one day, and I’m sure I will, but refuse to eat anything other than organic, and even with that you need to be careful. My favorite part about this post:
“-We’re lucky to be in the position where we can freely choose how to nourish our bodies.”
It just goes to show how good of a person you are and what your heart is made of. One day I’ll jump back on the meat train, and I really am looking forward to how you will be feeling with this new approach. Good luck to you girl! If we were neighbors I’d give you some of the eggs from my chickens 🙂 Have a great day!
Thanks for being open w/ us as always! I just have a quick question. How come you’re only going for the white meat and not pork, lamb, beef and others? Is it a taste thing or nutrition thing? Isn’t lean pork, beef really healthy and nutrition in terms of protein as well? It’s just that I recently found out from a chinese nutritionist that four legged animals provide the “best nutrition” with the ranking going from lamb, pork, to beef. chicken and fish are actually behind that! that was quite shocking to me as i’ve been exposed to the western style of healthy eating, which talks about the importance of fish and chicken breast and such.. another shocker was that the nutritionist didn’t think eggs were very healthy… so i guess it’s just another way of thinking. what is your take on this?
Good for you! your body…your choice <3 oxoxoxox!
Thanks for this post. And thank you for your honesty.
I cut out meat from my diet for a year to see how I felt. I never felt bad, but I knew that it wasn’t going to be a permanent thing. I do think when we have a little bit of animal protein in our diets, we are healthier overall. The point is to make your meal mostly about veg/whole grains and then have a small amount of animal protein whether it’s fish, chicken or red meat.
I decided a couple months ago to bring meat back into my life BUT only occasionally and only meat I felt comfortable eating – organic/free range etc. And because I don’t eat meat very much, I am able to make the choice to eat the higher priced, organic, ethically raised, hormone free meat.
Props to you Gina for choosing what’s best for YOU. I think sometimes the blog world can feel so in the limelight that we get afraid to tell people what we’re doing. Like sometimes I do feel guilty that I’m not a vegetarian because several vegetarians read my blog. But I also have to remember that I’m an athlete and making the best decision for myself.
Hi! I don’t usually leave comments but I just had to say bravo! Good for you for doing what feels right for you, your body and your life. I was vegan for a while and I have to say that there is nothing (at least for me!) that satisfies me quite like a piece of lean animal proten and lots of veggies. Good luck! ps. I love your blog 🙂
I’m glad you are doing what is right for you, and I hope it makes you get out of your little physical funk! Good luck girl.
Why chicken over say ground turkery? Turkey is a superfood after all! I commend you for your decision. Your body and you decide what you eat!
i totally commend you for hearing your body out and going with the flow- that’s why i dig your blog so much: it’s not about labels or “YOU MUST DO THIS OR WILL BE FROWNED UPON!” We always have to do what’s best for us as individuals, so go on witcher bad self and enjoy that chicken!
I tried eating a lot less meat, pretty much just one serving a week(if that), when I started blogging. I felt SO sluggish and had some of the same symptoms. At first, it was great but after a little while, it hit me hard. It’s frustrating when I hear people say that eating a meat-free diet is the ONLY way to eat and the best choice for everyone. If it was the best choice for me then why was I feeling so terrible? I just really appreciate hearing ALL sides of it. I think our diets are our choices and we need to feed our bodies what makes us feel 100%. For me, that meant incorporating lean meat back into my diet. Thank you for being open and honest! Miss you, friend!
Loved this post Gina! Please don’t feel you have to answer to anyone but yourself! This is your life and your body! I have enjoyed your posts over the past couple years! I have added more fruits and veggies to my diet and have learned so much from you! I was doing smoothies in my Vitamix until it got cold in FL! Those Chocolate cherry bombs are amazing! I eat meat, almost daily, and know my body needs it! I try to eat whatever I am craving! I feel I am craving it because my body needs it! Some days it is a big juicy burger, and other days I eat raw goodies! And I love them both! I do try to limit my red meat, and I eat a lot of chicken!
I’m so glad that you wrote this post, because it looks like a lot of people are feeling the same way as you! I am one of them. After being a pescatarian for almost 2 years, I have also been thinking about eating meat again. It’s a decision I am struggling with, but your post made me realize that every person is different and we each need to do what is best for our own bodies. It’s so crazy how you always seem to blog about things I was already thinking about =)
I just came back from the doctor’s today and she actually told me that I needed to eat some red meat. I have been avoiding red meat in the past because of all the “bad” things that are said about it, but apparently I need the nutrients that it has to offer. I too believe that everyone has different needs and requirements that fit their bodies the best, and I’m glad that you made the right decision. Yay chicken! 🙂
Good for you gina! You can still experiment with raw and vegan treats. You just need protein. : )
I think you made a great decision in making your health and body a priority and I’m really proud of you for being so open and honest about it. I say you should do whatever makes you feel right and healthy. I think you are setting a great example for others in the same dilemma. I tried a vegetarian diet, but I felt the exact same way – dizzy and tired all the time and I was actually losing weight like crazy. I feel much better after adding chicken back into my diet, and I hope you do too. Thanks!
Gina, your blog has to be the 4th blog that I follow of vegetarians who decided to add animal protein back to their diets. Some of the bloggers were vegan and decided to add eggs or milk, some were flexitarians who upped their animal protein intake. Every one of them said the same thing; they felt like they weren’t running on top speed.
(I believe) we are put here on this Earth, as much as we all love it, to live the best life we possibly can. You do what feels right for YOU to get to accomplish that. I still believe that you’re showing all of us wanna be’s how to live our best life also. Blessings to you!
I think it’s great, Gina! I think it really shows just how much we need to listen to our bodies– you felt in your heart that you should start eating meat again, went through tons of research and medical advice, and what do you know? You were right. It’s so important to trust yourself. Great post 🙂
This is all about what is best for you and I totally admire you for that!! I have been through the same pathway, love being a vegetarian but it seems that my body needs a minimum of animal protein to function properly. We have to take care of ourselves, and just as you mentioned, we are indeed blessed to be able to choose what to eat and how to maximize nutrition to our bodies.
You are a great example, and please don’t worry about what others might say. You are taking care of yourself, of the body that carries you around and enables you to be you, and that is the most important thing!
Great post Gina!
Ana
Great post! I love that you listen to your body an appreciate the great variety of healthy food. Variety really is the spice of life!
I understand and applaud you for recognizing and doing what is right for your body. Years ago I was vegetarian and ate what I considered a very healthy diet, but I was tired, couldn’t lose weight and I realized that my body needed more protein, in the form of meat.
We all are different and a diet that works for one won’t always be the right one for another. I’m just starting “raw” cooking (that makes my friends laugh) and don’t plan to give up meat, because I know this is what is right for my body.
this is something I’ve been thinking about a ton lately too; thanks for sharing the change in your life
Gina, Congrats to you for doing what is best for your body! I this helps you feel better!
Do what you’ve gotta do!! Chicken is awesome. You will love all the new food oppertunities!
I love you, and I know how hard of a decision this was and know how much thought goes into it. When you said, “I love animals, I love the earth, but I also love myself, my body and need to take care of it,” — that’s something that I totally relate to, and I think you can find similar sentences in my post from last April when I announced I was no longer going to be a vegan. I was kind of freaked out about the idea of even eating eggs again, but you were there (Flying Biscuit in Gainesville!) — and I didn’t get sick, and if anything, felt so much better after that omelet. Anyway – I understand and respect your decision. I know there will be people out there who will feel the need to judge you, say you’re uneducated and you’re giving in to the “easy” decision, and more, but forget about them. I did and haven’t looked back. 😉 xo!
Cool. I’m glad you’re doing what’s best for you. I had a similar thing happen about 4 years ago. I didn’t have enough energy to exercise as much as I wanted and was feeling lethargic all the time, even though I’d been a pescatarian since the age of 8. So, I chose a poultry I would allow myself to eat. It’s turkey. Since turkey isn’t always available on restaurant menus, I find that I’ll still eat vegetarian more often when I’m out, but at home I can make lots of things with ground turkey from Whole Foods. It’s really opened up the variety of meals I can make, and it’s given me a whole lot more energy. And since I only give myself one poultry, I’m eating less meat than I would if I let myself eat anything I felt like eating. It was a hard decision for me, too, but I think it was the right one. Anyway, good for you; I hope you start feeling better with all that protein!
Hey girl! good for you for choosing what is right for you and not worried about what people think. because in the end, it’s your body. 🙂 i have the same diet as you but occasionally will eat chicken and beef to nourish it. i went vegetarian for 2 years before and my iron levels just went really low and became anemic. granted i was younger and didn’t know what was going on, but i know my body and i know it needs animal protein. my boyfriend is vegetarian, he was born vegetarian so he’s never had meat. and it’s what his body needs, a vegetarian diet. anyway, i’m glad you’re choosing what is right for you. cheers!
love this post! your highest priority should always be your health, and i’m glad to see you’re doing what works for you! i follow a vegan diet, but that just doesn’t work for everyone – the most important thing is honoring yourself and your body!
Sometimes you just really need some meat!
I love, love, love how honest and REAL you are with us. Major props to you for handling your bizness regardless what other people think. 🙂 Your health is definitely more important that what other people may say. I love that you do what works for you.
(hug)
Get it gurl!
I had the same experience. I gave up meat for only a year, but I knew something was wrong. My digestive system was so out of whack, I was eating way too much fiber, and I was always hungry. I welcomed meat back in my life (the grass fed, organic kind), and I have felt much better and much more myself.
Thanks for this post Gina!
As a “vegetarian” who was told by my acupuncturist i should eat a little meat in order to get pregnant, i have been ‘sneaking’ bites of chicken here and there. I cannot tell you how ‘ashamed’ i have felt…but no longer, i am going to do what is best for ME and not care what anyone thinks.
You just inspired me and made me realize i shouldn’t care what everyone else thinks, it is my perogative to eat how i want and that having a baby is much more important than me being a ‘vegetarian’. I guess in a wierd way i feel like i have let people down, stupid huh? The good news is my period has gotten back on track just by drinking chicken broth and eating a ‘little’ meat:)
As always, your posts speak to me, keep it up girl and i hope you feel better asap. I can’t wait to follow ‘this’ journey of yours:)
April
You should be proud of yourself for doing what is best for you! And I had to laugh when you siad this “isn’t turning into a chicken blog” haha 🙂
I can’t believe you would expect mean-spirited comments? That is your decision, no one has the right to tell you what is right or wrong for you. Being a non-vegetarian, I say good for you! I love animals as much as the next gal, but humans have been feeding off animals since day 1. That’s just how the world goes. Eating a chicken does not mean you are doing anything bad for the earth or yourself. I try to choose free-range veggie fed eggs, but I do not do so with my meats. I think I would really like to though. Good for you Gina! I’m sure it was hard to decide to publish that decision.
Just want to say that I love your blog and I admire you for your honesty and the amount of care that you give yourself. I think no matter where we are in our diets, it’s always a good idea to reassess and re-evaluate and if things aren’t going well, then perhaps changes need to be made. God bless! 🙂
You need to do what you believe is best and no one can judge you for that. I’m proud of you! Thank you for your committment to always being honest, upfront and keeping it real.
Nice one, sounds like you made exactly the right decision for you. I think many in your situation could have been to stubborn or proud to take this step!
Props to you girl for figuring out what your body needs and going with it! Any mean spirited comments are un-warranted! I’m happy for you and hope you feel fantastic soon!
G$!
Thanks so much for this post! I was a veg for about 4 years and recently made the switch for similar reasons. I really feel that my body functions better with some animal protein.
Once again, I applaud you for your honesty and for listening to your body. You are SUCH an incredible inspiration! I cannot WAIT for your book to come out <3<3<3
wow. impressive post. I have been reading your blog for a while. Although I’m not a vegetarian, I enjoy your recipes and try to incorporate as many veggies in my meals as possible. I’m looking forward to your chicken recipes =)
i think that’s great, gina. I eat mainly vegan foods, but i see no prob with a lil animal protein either. I’m sure you made a great choice in the chicken you cooked for yourself – organic? free range? props to you for being you!!!
Great decision! Overall, you need to take care of your health and your whole self before you can take care of the environment, animals, the earth, other people, etc. If you’re not healthy, how can you expect to bring health to others? Proud of you 🙂
If someone actually says something mean to you because you decided to eat chicken, they need a life. Bad. As the profound cast of the Jersey Shore says: “you do you.”
Always do what is best for your body and your health.
How dare you! lol JK sometimes you have to just take care of yourself your health is the most important thing! You have to do what’s right for you! It doesn’t matter what others think I agree with you 100% that what we choose to eat is a personal decision, everybody’s body works differently. You are an amazing, inspirational person and I love reading your blog I appreciate your realness 🙂
Our bodies can tell us what they need/want. And you always seem to listen and treat it with great care. Thanks for sharing this, i can definitely relate. 🙂
LC
Good for you girl! It’s refreshing to read a blog with such honesty- you have to do what’s right for you and not worry about what other people are going to say- I really respect that about you. I hope that no one gives you an crap about your decision– it’s ludacrious if they do– who are they to tell you how to eat?? Anywho, the chicken looked and sounde amazing!! Maybe it’ll be the first chicken recipe you post for us? 🙂 Thanks so much for having such a phenomenal blog– I’ve been reading since the beginning and it’s still my favorite and the first one I check everyday 🙂 I hope to be reading it when I’m 80, working out at the retirement home gym 😉