Pork products, or, is bacon the downfall of the modern world?

Clearly, I am not good at being a blogger, as it has been literally a couple years since my last post, but lately I have been inspired, so I figured, why not add a post? It's my blog I can do what I want. 

Lots of changes in my life since my last post. First, I quit hot yoga for awhile for a number of reasons including keeping up with the cost, and enrolled in school for a Graphic Design Certificate, which I have now graduated from. It was a one year program and in the time I was a full time student, still not gainfully employed full time, you can imagine I gained a bit of weight, partly due to laziness, partly stress. It is amazing how much time you can waste when it is available to you. It is a universal truth, I think, that when you have the free time, you put more things off than when you don't. They say "Busy people get things done" and it is true. Unfortunately I used school as an excuse to be lazy in other aspects of my life and now I am suffering the consequences. So now I am back in action and taking control of my health again!

Just before I enrolled in school I also was a member of a running/triathlon group in hopes I would complete a half marathon and triathlon eventually. I did the half marathon and got over my fear of the open ocean swimming, but unfortunately never got a working bicycle in time to enroll in and complete a triathlon. I did set a PR for my half marathon. (I am slow so I won't post the time, but it was great for ME). And I did a 188 mile relay with 11 other people on my team in the Nevada desert, Ragnar Las Vegas for those who are in the running world. And then I quit running too, so I could focus on school. 

So here I am, finally finished with school and in dire need of a body overhaul. I have joined Weight Watchers which has worked for me in the past. I still dance with a local samba dance group, and plan on getting to more practices, and I also plan on getting back into running and yoga. Although I don't specifically endorse dieting or Weight Watchers, I do agree with its premises. Eat what you want, just in moderation. And try to aim for the things that diet "experts" tell us are good: fiber, lean cuts of meat, LOTS of veggies, fruit, and cut the crap! 

So, recently I had a debate with someone about eating pork products as I was eating a prepackaged breakfast sandwich which contained a small slice of Canadian bacon. I will be the first to say I grew up in an exceptionally healthy household due to my father being a doctor of preventive medicine and a health fanatic mother.  We almost never ate red meat or I don't recall being served any pork. However, even Dad ate an occasional strip of bacon (cooked very crisp to cut the fat content was his way of ordering it) and I believe that on occasion, indulgence in bacon or the occasional pork product really is not going to ruin your health as some people claim. In fact, I am attending vegan cooking classes in an effort to steer myself in the better food direction. For the record, I am not now nor likely will I ever become a full bore vegan. I am an omnivore and I make no apologies. That being said, I do try to limit the amount of meat products I eat. I actually enjoy vegan cuisine and to some degree the vegan lifestyle, however, I see it as a cuisine, like Mexican, Fusion, French etc, not something I have to commit my entire life to. I am sure pork products kill laboratory rats in excessive quantities, but until they prove that bacon and other pork products in moderation causes some rare life threatening disease, or is contributing to the downfall of the modern world, I will continue to eat it, in moderation, of course!

Moving Forward

I think I read a numerology reading that said this year was going to be one of constant changes. I try not not be too superstitious, and considering the whirlwind I survived last year, it's hard to believe this year could be any more inconsistent, but when I stop and take inventory of even just the last couple months, I can definitely see the truth of those words. It amazes me that my first blog posting was now, officially just over a year ago. I am still a huge proponent of the heated yoga classes, and in fact I now attend 3-4 a week in addition to my usual weekend run and weight lifting at the gym. (Ok, I am lazy and just take a lift class.) I officially quit martial arts last May due to financial hardship and plain burnout. After 7 years, I can also attest to the validity in the concept of the "Seven Year Itch".

All of this change has really caused me to take inventory of the big picture, not only of my own life but of what is going on nationally and even internationally. Yoga has saved me mind, body and soul and been a tremendous outlet for all the daily stresses of life. I am still looking for my next career, but my approach has been altered based on the changes around me. I truly believe change is healthy. For example I had difficulties with my last computer and was forced to buy a new one. Going from a desktop PC to a Mac laptop gives you a new perspective by forcing you off auto pilot because you have to rethink your entire process. A small change, it may seem to be, but I truly believe that any shift in activity can actually cause changes of larger proportions in other areas. Trying the hot yoga class was a small step in my overall health and fitness, but over time, I have actually seen great physical changes in my body, because I changed up my routine. Although 7 solid years of martial arts and the gym had a positive effect, the yoga added another level. Karate emphasized strength through aggression and power, yoga allows for relaxation and flexibility within that strength. All have benefits, but the difference is how they manifest.

I hope to continue to add fresh perspectives on my postings. In addition to my own experience, in the future I plan on taking into account health related research findings. Stay tuned...