Like many vegetarians, I wasn't completely Vegan, but a lacto-ovo vegetarian. Even though I knew dairy should be cut out of my diet, I'd lapse and have a veggie pizza, yogurt or something else with dairy in it once in awhile. And then there was that sugar-problem haunting me, knowing better, but . . . .
After reading Breaking the Food Seduction: The Hidden Reasons Behind Food Cravings, I now understand why I had a hard time completely breaking free of dairy products. By understanding the science of food, it made it easy to stop ingesting dairy products as well as foods with sugar and wheat.The book reveals how certain foods trigger the release of natural opiates in the brain, causing a physical addiction that can be difficult to break. Casein, a protein found in milk, breaks down into smaller molecules called casomorphins during digestion. Barnard states that these morphine-like compounds then attach to the same receptors that heroin attaches to in the brain which may explain why so many people are seemingly addicted to dairy products, especially cheese. Dr. Barnard explains how sugar, chocolate and meat among the most addictive foods.
This knowledge altered my view immensely, actually making it easy to stop eating all dairy and sugar-laden foods. Reading Sugar Blues will also open your mind.
It's been two months and I no longer crave foods I formerly couldn't resist. More importantly I don't feel deprived of them - I simply am no longer interested in them. It's amazing.
I feel better and have lost weight without even trying. It's easy to change to a completely vegan lifestyle once you understand food addictions - and, as you've heard - changing your eating habits is the key. Along with a walk in the sunshine~
This knowledge in this book will help you break the cravings, not fight the cravings.
Breakfast is important!
In a big bowl, I add
locally grown Organic Fruit in season,
Quick Organic Oats, (don't need cooking)
Organic soy milk or another non-dairy milk
Locally grown Honey
Let it sit for awhile so the oats get soft.
I usually eat a few spoonfuls at a time,
get dressed, a few more, etc.
I'm satisfied til around 2pm!
Food is essential to life. So are friends.
Getting together with friends often means eating.
Eating healthy can be a challenge if you're not at home. So what I do is either eat before I go anywhere, or bring some yummy dish to share with others, thus making sure you have something to eat, and people won't keep asking you why you're not eating.
Breaking The Food Seduction offers lots of tips and quick, yummy recipes, as do Dr. Barnard's other books.
Presently I'm reading Foods That Fight Pain.
Dr. Barnard is the president of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research.
As the sun melted into the ocean, people began gathering at the ritzy Century City Plaza Hotel in Beverly Hills for the 10 th Annual First Americans in the Arts (FAITA) extravaganza on February 2nd. Beautifully attired women and men greeted old friends and caught up on what had been happening in each other's lives, exchanged business cards and talked about future events. 
Recipient of the award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance was the very exhilarated Marla Bingham (Wampanoag from Mashpee/black), who seemed to float as she came across the stage. Marla is an internationally known dancer and choreographer, and the founder of the Marla Bingham Contemporary Ballet Company. 
"My family moved here in the 50's after WWII," said Michael Wise, who grew up in Los Angeles. They didn't talk about their Cherokee culture. He only knew his mom was French and English, and that his dad came from New Mexico after leaving Oklahoma. "Dad's side didn't really pay too much attention to their heritage, possibly because if you did say you were Indian you would be pushed aside or worse. I didn't really know anything until my grandmother came and lived with us and told us that we were Indian. I was about 12. She shared the culture with my two brothers and myself," Michael remembered.
Michael started acting in grade school and continued through college. Thinking he should study anthropology or geology or something," he did.
PICURIS PUEBLO, NM - "The government used the bison to take land away from Indian people, now we want to use the bison to acquire the land back for ourselves. That's our goal. We'd like to see the bison roaming again. Strong herds, not just little ranch herds, we want to see wild herds. They are good for the land." 
Just back from the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, where his film Running On Indian Time premiered; exuberant young filmmaker, Duane Allen Humeyestewa said, "The experience was a huge success!" Exhausted, but energized from the positive responses he received after his film was seen by a packed audience, he proclaimed, "The whole experience was overwhelming, but positive" and that he was "ready for the next movie." 
A few months ago, on a warm and sunny afternoon in Hollywood, a group of actors, writers and directors, met for a NAFATA (Native American Film And Television Alliance) meeting at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage. After the meeting we stood talking in the parking lot under the trees, the green rolling Hollywood Hills as a backdrop. Duane talked enthusiastically about his present project; a film he wrote, and was about to direct and produce, called Running On Indian Time. How did he get from Hopi to Hollywood? 
Something many of us have been hoping for has arrived. Finally, a nationwide television network that will give Americans a global perspectives on news, events and culture – “WorldLink TV.” 
"I got my big break as a dancer, and I worked my way into acting because it was my big dream, to act. I really love it here in Hollywood, it was something I always wanted," said Roscoe Pond smiling. Sitting outside on a breezy balcony in a restaurant at the Beverly Connection, a shopping center on the edge of Beverly Hills, Roscoe talked about his journey to Hollywood. Roscoe's life revolves around auditioning for (and getting some) acting roles, dancing and writing, while also working in an exciting new Southern California Indian Center (SCIC) Employment and Training (E&T) Program in audio/visual production. "It's been a long road, but it's been a really good learning experience," he said in his soft deep voice as he sipped some water. 
Roscoe didn't know anyone when he first got to Hollywood, so like many struggling actors, he found a job in the fast-food industry. He later discovered there was a lot of help for Native Americans in LA. (See sidebar) 
Roscoe and Eagle Young (from Taos Pueblo, NM), also an actor, are the first two trainees in this new program. "We got to film all the Indian activities at SCIC, including the PowWow, projects like the FAITA (First Americans in the Arts) Awards web cast, and Floyd's (Red Crow Westerman) gala for "The Hoop of Life." Besides taping, Roscoe and Eagle also do the editing. "Paula Starr, the Executive Director of SCIC has been really supportive of us, and I am very thankful to her for that," said Roscoe enthusiastically. 
Longtime activist for American Indian rights and freedoms, John speaks his truth with deeply penetrating words that he weaves together in a way that hit you right where they are meant to; he gets you to think. 
