Health, Happiness, Diet and the Middle Way

Being diagnosed with fibromyalgia has made me rethink my own dietary lifestyle and activity. Having two long term disorders (the other is bipolar type II for nearly 14 years) and now fibromyalgia at almost 30 years of age, I have to re-evaluate almost everything.

My bipolar disorder has been mainly under control for the last three years. It’s hardly an issue, but still needs to be maintained. Fibromyalgia has now been added to the mix. Lovely. But that can’t get in the way of living. Life doesn’t stop for illness or crises, it keeps going. It’s impermanent, and keeps changing and we have to adapt.

My doctors have preached a balanced diet for many years. My psychiatrist keeps recommending fish oils, particularly omega-3. Omega-3 is known to increase mood stability, brain development and is also good for the heart and joints. Omega-3 can be found in flax seed for example, or in a non-vegetarian diet, fish – particularly salmon.

I have been vegetarian for almost over a year and a half. I would say I am proud of myself for that, but it’s nothing special since there are many, many vegetarians in the world, but still an accomplishment after having the typical North American “meat with every meal” kind of diet nearly all my life.

I have the unfortunate news to say that I have started to eat fish. But, it is for my health. I started about a month ago, and when I saw my doctor a couple of weeks ago after not seeing him for a year, he said that my complexion had more colour and I seemed healthier. (I was vegetarian when I saw him last year.) Now, many people on vegetarian and/or vegan diets say that their complexion and health has improved being on such a diet, and if it helps, do it! But, I think because of my health issues it has worked against me.

For example, many people of vegetarian diets will lose weight. Since I started eating more vegetables and grains (but still dairy for calcium), I’ve gained weight! However, that may have been attributed to the beginning of fibromyalgia and approaching 30 years old, but is still a puzzling fact.

The Dalai Lama, one of the most revered Buddhist teachers of our time, once was vegetarian and developed jaundice. His doctors told him he needed meat in his diet and now includes it. His diet at home is primarily, if not all, vegetarian, but he will graciously accept if offered, like a simple monk who is in almsgiving.

The Dalai Lama: One of our most compassionate teachers of our modern time.

Although I am not technically vegetarian (to the fullest degree), I eat a vegetarian breakfast and lunch every day and at night fish about four to five nights a week, on other nights it’s still vegetarian. So, “technically” I’m pescatarian (I know it’s a big word, for a simple concept). But, now, since I am more aware of the life the salmon once had, I am grateful for its nutrients to help me. Not only do I eat because I am hungry, I eat for my health. If we are not healthy and able bodied, we can’t be actively helpful to other people and sentient beings. If we neglect our health to the point of creating our own suffering for the good of our future karma, then we are like the ascetics that Siddhartha Gautama joined, then later left and came back to teach them about the Middle Way.

Buddha taught about the Middle Way

Although my reasons for becoming vegetarian then pescatarian may differ from other peoples, but I don’t believe they are unique. Many people who have fibromyalgia also suffer from some sort of mental disorder like depression. Doctors are now starting to realise alternative treatments rather than to keep drugging patients and turning them into addicts and/or customers. Diet is the most important cornerstone in treatment of mental illness and, in my opinion, fibromyalgia. But everyone’s different.

So, although I am no longer a card-carrying vegetarian Buddhist, I still believe in the idea of vegetarianism and wish everyone to try to eat vegetarian options more often. A primarily vegetarian diet can improve health significantly rather than the typical North American “eggs and bacon / steak and potatoes / hamburger and fries” diet.

A primary diet of vegetables and fruits filled with antioxidants can help heal our bodies and minds, improving our health.

We need to remember the Middle Way; everything in balance and moderation. My balance may be different than yours, but we will all find what works for us. This post is dedicated to all our good health and happiness.

May we be happy and healthy.

Finding My Comfort Level – Almost 1 Year Later

Image via Wikipedia

My one year anniversary being vegetarian is two days away and to say that temptation to slip into my previous eating habits hasn’t come across my mind would be a lie. However tempting it may be to order a filet mignon, I still rather eat a baked potato, steamed veggies and a side order of garden salad. It’s funny how I’ll watch a commercial for a steakhouse and as normal people would drool at the sight of a piece of cow on a plate, instead I’m focused on the side dishes of mashed potatoes, salad and garlic bread.

I’m still coming to terms of my comfort level in my vegetarianism – where to draw the line so to speak. As in my previous post, there is suffering in every aspect of life whether intentional or not. Many animal products are used in items that most people would not think that they would have. Many foods, although considered vegetarian or vegan, will state that their product may include or have come into contact with dairy or other animal by-products. I believe the point to be vegetarian or vegan, is to reduce your own direct impact or involvement of the suffering or use and consumption of animal products. One shouldn’t become militaristic in this venture, because as much as you try, some things may be unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean you should give up your beliefs if you feel passionately about it.

For instance, I try to avoid candies and items that include gelatin, like gummy candies and marshmallows. Gelatin is derived from the collagen inside animals’ skin and bones – sounds pretty nasty, right? When I can avoid it, I do. But, even some medications in capsule forms include gelatin. Sure, you can avoid those ones that contain it and opt for others that are vegan friendly. But, what if you received a prescription for a medication you really needed and your health depended on it, and you’re vegan, would you deny your health for the sake of staying true to your belief? May sound harsh, but in that case, I would want to get better and take the medication for the sake of my health and to stay healthy for my family.

Due to my own health concerns that I face, I find that I should consume Omega-3 on a daily basis. Omega-3 can be found in many other foods other than shellfish and fish, although the highest concentrations are found in fish. I have sometimes contemplated eating fish, but my new found morals conflict with the science that I know. I know there are supplements, and I’m still looking for the right ones available near me. I have considered Omega-3 supplements; however, most on the market are from either fish or krill. Although I’m not eating the flesh of the fish, it is from fish and therefore not vegetarian.

Buddhism in general doesn’t teach of a vegetarian diet, but compassion to all is the main theme. Buddha himself wasn’t exactly vegetarian and even the 14^th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, who is vegetarian mostly when he is at home in Dharamsala, India eats meat occasionally as a recommendation from his doctors. I suppose, a vegetarian diet as proven to have overall health benefits and is a compassionate diet, does not entirely show how compassionate one person is. A person, who lies, steals and cheats but is vegetarian, is not proven to be better morally than an honest, truthful and faithful person who eats meat.

These questions and philosophies conflict me, but they raise me up to think more about my beliefs and what I will stand for.

In general, I rarely crave to eat meat… like chicken when it looks tempting, but then I think of all the stuff that goes with the chicken, and I rather eat that! Food is a social commodity. We all have happy memories of eating with family and friends, and most likely there was meat involved and we’re attached to that feeling it brings us. Turkey at Thanksgiving and Christmas, birthday events, celebrations, etc. all have pleasant memories that keep us wanting to experience it again. Sure, I miss going to The Keg restaurant and eating a steak – it’ll look odd going to a steakhouse and asking for the filet mignon with side potato and veggies and to hold the steak. Paying $35 for a potato and veggies. It really is cheaper to eat at home.

A vegetarian diet is technically cheaper than a meat eating diet, and it has many benefits. I have thought of adding fish to my diet and I’m still on the fence. Will anyone understand what a pescatarian is? Will I be able to justify it? Will I only eat fish once a month? Once a week? A few times a year? Or do I just take fish supplements? But, then I wouldn’t be vegetarian. It becomes a social thing perhaps of what others will think in the vegetarian community. But, perhaps, it shouldn’t matter. What should matter is compassion to all, kindness to all, and helping others, and if you can’t then at least do not harm them.

As my one year mark approaches, I can be proud of myself, but I still have some growing and soul searching to do. Kudos to anyone starting, continuing and surpassing the vegetarian diet and I will continue it as best I can. Tomorrow for lunch, Indian vegetarian curry and jasmine rice with salad.

Namaste.