What the Difference

Ive been really think about my diet, and how drastically it has changed . As a food lover Ive been indulge without really paying attention to what it has done to me and how I feel after I eat certain foods. So I said to myself , Lakshmi why not try in become a Vegan wait what about Vegetarian ? Well whats the difference ? Here a great article I found that explains it all 

The Difference Between Vegan and Vegetarian Diets

I never understood the difference between being a vegan and being a vegetarian. To me they seemed to be cut from the same cloth. Kind of like the way one pronounces the word "tomato". Is it toe-may-toe..? Or is it toe-mah-toe...? Does it really matter if you're both trying to accomplish the same goal? And so it was - I thought - with vegan and vegetarian diets. Little did I know that vegans and vegetarians are a world apart. By definition, vegetarians are those individuals that do not eat any meat products, they will however, eat dairy products and eggs. Vegans on the other hand, do not consume any animal products at all! Or derivitives or such. So guess where an egg comes from? A Chicken! And milk? A cow! So you can cross both eggs and milk off your list. The Vegan diet walks a hard thin line. I admire both groups of people. They have both made choices that will leave them healthier and I presume happier, while living a longer life. On the other hand, there are those of us who have decided to take the short road: I happen to enjoy a hearty steak every now and then, am wild about ribs, and I enjoy dairy products. I too am happy, perhaps not as healthy, but if I keel over tomorrow at least it will be with a full stomach. Like I said, it's all about choices.
The Vegan diet doesn't seem very exciting on the surface - - lots and lots of grains, but also fruits, vegetables and beans. All are low in fat and contain little or no cholesterol. And all vegan food is rich in fiber . Let it be said, that vegans do not suffer from irregularity. In fact, with a little planning and common sense, vegans can create a diet that provides all the nutrients they need, without any reference to animal products. Lesson Number One; vegan food doesn't have to look or taste good in order to be good for you (kind of like the castor oil you took as a kid).
The case for veganisim (I don't know if that's a word, but it is now) gets a bit murky when you decide just how far you're going to follow the definition of "animal based product." Sugar is a good example. Refined sugars don't contain any animal products that I know of, but sometimes sugar is processed with animal bone or cartilage (used to remove color and impurities). So with that in mind, is sugar a vegan food or not? I guess it depends on how much you read into the definition.
I agree with vegans on one thing in particular: I'm against the useless slaughter of animals. It's just that I don't personally find the use of animals as a food product as "useless slaughter". Maybe there's a different word out there we can use besides "slaughter". Animals that "valiantly sacrifice their life so that humans may Bar-B-Q" sounds a lot better to me. That doesn't detract from the principals behind a vegan diet as such. But I look at it this way: if we don't use cows and steers and other potential meat sources as just that - - a meat source, then we're going to have an over-abundance of these animals. Then what do we do? Lift the bans on mountain lions and wolves and bears and whatever other predatory animals are out there? Or do we convince these animals to convert to vegan food also?
Well I won't say that I'm a convert, but I will say that I've merged the philosophy of the vegan and vegetarian diet with my regular eating habits. I'm now eating ingesting about 60% more fiber than ever before, but I still eat meat. That may not make any vegans or vegetarians within earshot very happy, but darn it if I don't feel healthier.
These new found health habits got me researching on the internet for new ways to prepare all these grains and whatnot. It's not to be believed how many sites exist that promote a vegan and vegetarian diet. These sites have more recipes than I can shake a stick at. I've already experimented with a vegan pancake of all things, and shortly I'll be creating a vegan carrot cake. Who says an old dog can't learn new tricks?
And to be honest, I'm oh-so-tempted to phase meat out of my diet all together.

 http://voices.yahoo.com/the-difference-between-vegan-vegetarian-diets-12296.html

A very interesting email I received

Yesterday upon checking my email I came across an email that was very interesting , I hope you enjoy it as I did . PS I have to do my own research LOL 

 

 Did you know that there are
actually foods that you can eat which will help you
to become smarter and have a brain which is functioning
at full capacity?

   If so, these 10 brain foods might surprise you...

   1.    Pork

   Pork is rich in Thiamine, a vitamin which encourages
healthy blood for your brain and helps it to
operate at its full potential. Of course, it's important
to make sure that you're not eating pork which is high
fat or which is unnaturally processed.

   For best results, buy pork which is as organic as
possible. and avoid fatty cuts.

   2.    Red Berries

   Berries such as: strawberries, raspberries, and cherries
have high quantities of polyphenols, which help you to
control the hormones in your brain which tell you when
to eat and when to stop.

   Bringing these hormones into balance helps your brain
to properly process hunger and satiation so that you
won't be distracted by cravings.

   3.    Nuts

   Almonds, Pecans and Walnuts (highest omega 3 and 6),
contain omega fatty acids which are important in brain
function. They're also high in nitric oxide which stimulates
healthy blood flow...which is always good for your brain.

   It might also interest you to know that nitric oxide
promotes sexual health in men and is one of the key
ingredients in Viagra.

   TIP: whenever possible, avoid nuts which are preserved
using BHT.

   4.    Eggs

   Eggs are the highest natural source of choline, a nutrient
which boosts the memory center of the brain. Choline also
increases neuron and synapses firing and helps your brain
get fired up for high level thinking...which is probably why
they're such a popular breakfast food.

   For best results, make sure that you're buying organic
eggs because they are going to have the highest concentration
of choline possible.

   5.    Blue berries and black berries

   Blueberries and blackberries also contain the essential
fatty acids omega 3 and Omega 6. Again, these fatty acids
are important in brain function and can also help to lower
your cholesterol level.

   Just make sure that you're actually eating the berries,
because consuming juices will raise your sugar intake to
unnatural levels. It's also important to consume berries
which are free of pesticides.

   6.    Wild Caught Salmon

   Again, a great source of omega 3 fatty acids
which are essential for brain function. However, when
consuming salmon it's important to purchase wild caught
salmon because farm raised salmon don't have anywhere near
as much omega 3.

   7.    Coffee Beans

   Yes, that cup of coffee that you're drinking in the
morning actually contains amino acids, vitamins and
minerals which are essential to brain function. Recent
nutritional studies also revealed that the Caffeine
content in coffee reduces chances Alzheimer's and dementia.

   8.    Cacao Bean

   This is really exciting, because this is the bean which
chocolate is made from! Rich in amino acids, minerals and
vitamins, the cacao bean is great for promoting good brain
function. Just a tip, it has to be dark chocolate.

   Milk chocolates and white chocolates contain little or
no cacao bean and will only make your clothes shrink.

   9.    Avocado

   Avocados are also a terrific source of Omega 3 essential
fatty acids.  Avocados are also a great substitution for
cheese and give you a natural source of fat that is great
for your figure.

   10.    Books

   Okay, so they're not a food, but you have to make sure
that you're feeding your brain something which it can
actually "chew on," otherwise all the brain foods in the
world aren't going to stimulate productive thought.

   Choose books that inspire you and that help you to
learn more about the things that you want to accomplish
in your life.

Bon Appetite!