“When you truly understand that your food choices are powerful and life affirming,
you can exercise control and restraint without deprivation” ~ Marlene Adelmann

PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY

ANSWER: My name is Jenea, I am a stay-at-home mom and the wife of a pilot. I started my plant-based, vegan journey in October 2017. Having lost 100 pounds twice in my life, this is my story.

After graduating in 2003, I had extremely low self-esteem, and extreme bouts of depression (without realizing what it was until later in life). My eating habits were terrible. I would consume a couple of energy drinks, fancy coffees daily, go through fast food restaurants a few times a week and some days I would eat a tube of cinnamon rolls for dinner. Not having a care in the world about what was in it or how I was going to feel later.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST TRY LOSING WEIGHT AND HOW DID YOU DO IT?

ANSWER: After stepping on the scale and seeing my weight at almost 300 pounds, I realized I needed to take better care of myself. I started to eat less red meat, more chicken, fruits and veggies, and exercising. It took me about 7-8 years to lose that 100 pounds. But, I did it. Then, I met my husband in December 2010. We both transitioned to buying foods that were REAL and started reading the ingredients.

Fast forward to 2016 when I find out that I was pregnant. I can still hear my OB telling me at my first appointment, “Well you’ve been that big before, it’ll be easy to put back on.” Gee, thanks! I was 264 pounds three days before my son was born. Gaining that much weight certainly doesn’t happen overnight, but it sure did feel like it.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START LOOKING INTO A PLANT-BASED, VEGAN DIET?

ANSWER: I have witnessed family and friends suffering through colon cancer, Alzheimer’s disease/dementia, food addiction, gastric bypass, stomach sleeves, diets and diet pills, stroke, heart attacks, esophageal dilation, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis. It seemed there was always one thing in common, no one ever changed what or how they ate. I eventually found a medical doctor who is plant-based himself and practices [by helping his patients] from the inside-out with food and gut health versus putting you on a pill.  Had I not gained all of that weight again I never would have realized how much easier it is to drop the weight just by eating plants and better foods for your body.

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AND HOW HAVE YOU MANAGED TO GET PAST THIS CHALLENGE?

ANSWER: I do have to say that I started out this plant-based/vegan lifestyle as being the resistant one, until my husband challenged me. We’re pretty competitive, but we went slow and steady. One thing at a time. When we ran out of butter/milk/creamer, I went to the store and got a non-dairy substitute. If we ran out of cookies/pie/ice cream, I got a “vegan/plant-based” replacement or tried making something new. Now, when I eat sweets, they’re made with REAL ingredients. I am a part of several Facebook pages that involve vegan/veggie recipes, the support in those groups are awesome and ideas are constantly flowing. I eventually want to cut out processed foods all together, but it will take time. Learning to cook this way is art that needs to be practiced daily.

DO YOU EVER CHEAT OR GO OFF OF THIS LIFESTYLE?

ANSWER: No. I don’t consider the foods I eat now “cheating”.  Occasionally, I eat a cookie, either something I’ve made (which is really my favorite because I know how it was made) but I also still indulge in a ‘vegan’ version. I can’t beat myself up over something I don’t feel bad about. I read a quote the other day that said “When you truly understand that your food choices are powerful and life affirming, you can exercise control and restraint without deprivation”. Meaning, the foods that I choose now don’t make me miss the ‘old’ foods. I used to eat doughnuts and cookies from the bakery in the grocery store every time I went. Now, I can just walk on by. My anxiety and depression are SO much better, my energy levels are off the charts, my confidence is beaming, and I absolutely love this way of eating.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING THIS WAY OF EATING?

ANSWER: To someone trying to better their lifestyle, my advice would be this:
Don’t dwell on your past or beat yourself up over the small things. Do more than you did the day before and ask for help if you need it. Eat like you give a damn about yourself, you can do it. Thank you for reading.  Jenea

JENEA’S  FAVORITE RECIPE
Cauliflower Tacos

Closing
I want to thank Jenea for opening up to me about her struggles and successes. Her story is inspirational and it is my hope that by sharing her story, some of you might be inspired to take better care of yourself and as Jenea said, “Eat like you give a damn about yourself!”

Thank you for sharing! 💚