A friend who with a life long indulgence in the pleasures of eating and drinking converted to a sober vegan with lots of exercise diet last year at this time. Even as I was supportive, I did wonder. Was the trigger a health issue? Did he finally see the errors of a life filled with stress and chaos? Was there someone behind the scenes? If so, was the shift for positive reasons or negative.
We live seven plus time zones apart, so our face-to-face meetings are infrequent. Each time we meet, I probed. The responses were murky and lacked the details that would convince one that this was the true story. As I connected with others in his network, one stood out because of a series of Facebook updates. The majority had a quote, factoid, or living example of the benefits of an exercised filled vegan lifestyle. As bland as these might be, the pictures were outstanding! Bright colors, lots of textures and flavors, and wonderful cooking are just the beginning. The presentation is so attractive that even when I am not hungry, I am.
The frequent updates remind me to rethink about what I am feeling myself. I find myself curiously imaging what the Psalmist had in his mind when he attributed a quote to Divinity. “You’ll feast on my fresh-baked bread spread with butter and rock-pure honey.”” (Psalm 81.16) Was it the perfect loaf of bread complimented by a flawless spread of butter and honey that refined what honey can be? Did the story end there or was there more that included feeding the soul?
In the craziness of daily life, I often settle for food that is less than healthy. I skip the gym, ride when I could walk, and find myself embracing stress instead of avoiding it. I know each is not what is best for my body, but I choose to let the easy trump the best. What we consume is a choice. Thank-you for the pictures that remind me that great choices can look, taste, and be the best.
