The plant-based hormonal dilemmas that are also most likely emotional and psychological, or how it is so hard for me to be fully vegan.

Photo by Elle Hughes

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In the fall of 2017, I decided to commit to physical fitness training and certifications. I had always wanted to study Yoga and Pilates further. So when I was faced with limited job opportunities in Southern Maryland, I decided it was time. First was Yoga. I signed up via YogaFit to do their Level 1 workshop over a weekend in NC. We thought it would be fun to go and stay with my husband's parents in Greensboro, and I would commute to High Point for the two-day long event. By the way, the $400 for this is steep. I mean really steep. I was trepidatious about the amount. But decided that it was a now or never kind of thing with these fitness certs. I can write about Pilates, Werq Cardio Dance, and Barre later. For now, I want to hone in on what the Yoga certification did for me and my diet. It was kind of mind-blowing.

During the workshop I talked to a few people about eating vegan. One woman discussed heavily the topic of being grossed out by drinking cow's milk. Another person chimed in about watching the film, "What the Health." I had heard of the film from a film-maker vegan activist as well. All of this coincided with learning more about meditation, reading about Yoga history, and being in mediation for long amounts of time over the weekend. 

A few weeks later at my Werq class, I picked up a "how to be vegan" pamphlet that PETA makes. It seemed like lots of things were coming together. So, I told my husband I wanted to try and be vegan. We watched Forks over Knives and What the Health one weekend. Then decided to give it a go. 

The process and experience of the last three years with navigating a plant-based diet have been rich and detailed with trial and tribulation. When I am ovulating and having my period I crave chocolate, beef jerky, chicken, cheese burgers, Taco Bell, and a whole lot of other junk. But, for Lent 2020 I went pure vegan for 40 days. It is a complicated whirlwind that I am always charting the course, re-steering, and calibrating. 

Sometimes I feel bad that I can't be the full vegan activist that I want to be. Other times I relish the turkey bacon wrapped jalapeños that I'm eating with my husband. I think for now, the best choice for us to be plant-based with meat on the side. I hope to come out of this journey on the right side of history. I love animals and I don't want to hurt another soul by eating its former bodily presence. But, brie is good y'all. 

For now, I do know that my hormones are a part of it. My mental state is a huge part of it. The influences around me and preparation tactics are huge as well. Although my relationship to veganism is sloppy and messy, I do really believe in the messages and meaning behind its premise. I encourage everyone to at least try a few nights off, if not a forever commitment (I'm thinking of you Rebecca Burnett) to never eating meat again.

Also, what will happen after this peri-menopause event when my hormones are completely rewired?!?