A lot of folks have asked me what the next step is on my journey. I have worked on changing the way I think. Changing the way I live. Next stop: changing the way I eat.

Many moons ago, I was a vegetarian. I became one in my late teens after learning the sad truth of our food industry. At the time, I was living at home and only had a part-time job to fund this new way of life. Back then I still ate cheese and I’m sure used products that contained animal byproducts (as I’ve only very recently become educated enough to read labels and decipher the list of 14-letter word ingredients). But I bought at farmer’s markets and tried to lessen my eco-footprint.

What happened?

Well, I did what many other young people do, over the years I let the ridicule get to me. And I changed. I got married shortly thereafter and, well, the rest is history. I entered the part of my life that I refer to as “the haze.” I was just shuffling along being who I thought everyone else wanted me to be. Lisa had crawled into a closet somewhere and a small part of her died.

After my divorce, it came as a shock to many that returning to this way of life was not the first change I made. But, after being in “the haze” for as long as I had been, I needed to work on my mind, my soul. Figure out who the hell Lisa actually was, because, sadly, I’d forgotten.

Changes, for me, often come in the form of what Oprah calls “whispers.” And because I’ve only just recently learned how to listen to those “whispers,” my life usually gets fed-up and screams. Hah.

Everywhere I turned for the past few months, vegans and vegetarians were popping up everywhere – in my conversations, books, shows. It was like my life was shaking me and saying “Remember! This used to be very important to you!”

So a little over a week ago, I changed, except I don’t like the word change in my case; I prefer to use the term “coming home.” I rid my entire house of anything that wasn’t vegan. And I was happy to realize that many of the things I use are vegan. Yay! I talked to some friends who are vegan and got some help and advice, read up, and even ordered a pocket guide to shopping (it has a handy cheat sheet of animal products that are hidden in so many things).

This week, I have felt (on so many levels) healthier, happier, and more clear-minded than I have maybe ever. I no longer consume meat, dairy, use any animal products or byproducts, or consume alcohol. And you know what? I haven’t missed any of it. A large part of why I’ve been so successful so fast, I believe, is for one, I had adopted many of these concepts before, and two, the more I learn, the more disgusted I have become. I honestly, already, feel sick even thinking about taking a sip of milk.

Now, this lifestyle, as with everything I do in my life, is not for everyone. I get that. And I don’t judge. I only politely suggest that you at least make your decision to live the way you do (however that is) an informed decision. Many people turn the other cheek and shuffle through life blind. And I know I, for one, have done enough blind shuffling, thank you very much. So as hard as it is to learn the truth. To see it. I feel better knowing I’ve made the choices I have.

All of these modifications in my daily living have resulted in me waking, finally, with a smile on my face. I can tell you there is nothing in this world that will ever give you as much joy as living the life you choose to. My tip for each of you this week is to dig deep. Search for something that was once an essential part of who you were. A part that you lost. A part you want back. And take the little steps (or, if you are like me, big leaps) and make a change. If we were all truly who we desired to be, the world would be a very different place.

Until next time, Happy Living!

P.S. I totally want a shirt that says “I run on veggies.” So, yes, if you find one, please do let me know! haha