Growing up

I have been a vegetarian since January 1998 (I almost forgot how to write a year that doesn't begin with "20" for a second there!) which is a hell of a long time, relatively speaking.  But it wasn't until recently that I really felt like I hit my stride.

Most vegetarians take the opportunity to try a ton of new foods in order to get variety and more nutrients into their diet.  I didn't so much.  I mean, I did - I added soy products (both "pre-fab" and tofu) and discovered lentils and beans and such.  But other than that, my main ingredients didn't change all that much from what I had as a kid.  I still loved my pasta and white rice (ok - I am past white rice and into basmati, but that isn't much of a stretch) and bananas and apples.  Plain old staples ruled my diet for many years after becoming a vegetarian.  I have flirted with veganism and even went back to eating meat for a few months (which didn't work out so well cause it still grossed me out mostly - it was a passing phase based on great turmoil in my life).  But ultimately, I still love my basics.  Until recently, that is.  Currently the ratio of foods in my fridge is about 60:40 foods that I am new to : old staples.  Kale, leeks, quinoa, shallots (instead of plain old onions), scapes, cantaloupe (which I never really liked up until recently), collards, rapini, edamame, new oils and vinegars ... all things that I have "discovered" recently.  Even such simple things as fresh lemon and lime - I had always used the bottled lemon juice and almost never used lime.

And things that I used to love are no longer as delicious as I used to think; pre-fab salad dressing is no longer, and I make my own.  Corn is pretty much gone from my diet as I don't really trust the fact that it is mostly GMO now.  Today I bought some organic frozen corn, but I am sure even that isn't non-GMO (but I will let it slide this time cause it was a crucial ingredient for an edamame-based salad).  Even bread isn't as much fun as it used to be.  Now I buy tortillas (the whole grain ones rule!) and wrap my sandwiches, usually with a drizzle of flaxseed oil for some extra omegas.

It was a gradual change, but it started once I was living by myself and really starting to grow into own personality.  I spend more time outside now than I have since I was a kid, thanks to the dogs, and have a wonderful farmer's tan to show for it.  Nowadays I am going to the gym too.  Not because I feel I have to, but because I want to.  Granted, it is still a little tough to haul my ass there, but at least I am doing it.

All these things have lead to an alarming trend:  I am peppier in the morning than ever before.  And today I woke up without an alarm.  Before 10AM!!!  Actually, it was closer to 8AM.

Dammit - I think I am growing up :)