Lent and a new lifestyle

Lent starts today. Usually wouldn't mean  a whole lot to me, I've never participated in Lent but someone asked what I was going to give up for Lent and it really made me think. How many things I could give up... chocolate? Nah, not a big chocolate fan. Soda? Possibly but doesn't seem like that much of a sacrifice really. So I thought, well I've been thinking of switching to veganism for awhile so why not give it a shot now. I was thinking just becoming a vegetarian first and gradually working my way up to the rest. I might go crazy if I try it all at once but that's the beauty of it... I'm sure I'll fail at times, cheat occasionally, want to quit. But I'll post all my failures right here for y'all to see, we'll have a laugh and I'll get back to it!

Hubby of course thinks I'm insane, he was asking why would you want to do that? I don't understand... Even though I've tried to explain to him several times that this diet, lifestyle change, whatever you want to call it is a good way to try and get a handle on this arthritis (I'm terrible at taking my meds. Always have been so I've been looking to try alternative methods of relief. Btw, yoga is AMAZING for arthritis!). He was trying to argue with me this morning about it saying that changing my diet won't help, yada, yada... The wife/mom/woman/annoying know it all in me had to prove him wrong and showed him the research that proves my point. It shut him up although he warned me not to try and get him to try it. He's a freakin' carnivore and there's no way of forcing him to eat anything green lol. So I'm on my own, lets see how it goes! I'll be keeping a detailed diary and doing a little research of my own to track flare ups, trying to find those certain things that trigger them and cut them out. From what I've read it seems that almost all my favorite foods are flare up culprits haha figures! With that I'll leave you with a list of the foods I shouldn't eat along with one of the links of my "Told you so" research to hubby ;) LETS DO THIS YO!!! I'm ready!

From the website:  http://pcrm.org/health/health-topics/foods-and-arthritis

"It is not recommended to bring meats, dairy products, or eggs back into your diet. Not only are they major triggers, but they also encourage hormone imbalances that may contribute to joint pain, and also lead to many other health problems."

Avoid Major Arthritis Triggers

1. Dairy products*

2. Corn

3. Meats**

4. Wheat, oats, rye

5. Eggs

6. Citrus fruits

7. Potatoes

8. Tomatoes

9. Nuts

10. Coffee

*All dairy products should be avoided: skim or whole cow’s milk, goat’s milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.

**All meats should be avoided: beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish, etc.

Also check out:  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/101017.php