Choose to be Happy

Learning how to be happy can take someone a lifetime, or it can be a sudden revelation. Either way the steps to understanding are the same. It depends on how stubbornly you hold on to the belief that happiness is something external.

The first step is understanding that things don’t make you happy. The next step is learning that other people do not make you happy. Then you need to understand that only YOU can make you happy. Once that truth is embedded in your soul, you will understand that happiness is not a destination. Being happy is a choice and it is completely up to you, not anyone or anything else. Once you truly understand this you will stop blaming other people, circumstances or things for your lack of happiness. You will understand that the only way to be truly happy is to choose to be. Living in a constant state of gratitude creates a sense of joy that no one and no thing can disturb.

I CHOOSE to be happy because it is good for my health and well being. A lot of people have asked me “How?”. This is the simple, but for some difficult, truth.

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Major Milestones – Plant Based Wins!

I can’t believe I have not updated in over a year  It has been a crazy roller coaster ride but I have settled into a quiet, simple life and feel very content and grateful.  Plenty of wins and losses, but that is in the past.  I have learned to focus ONLY on the present and look forward to the future.  Anything else is wasting the precious time we are given on this earth.

I refocused my efforts on plant based, whole foods, and eliminated the vegan processed foods. I have now achieved TWO major milestones!  My weight just dropped below 200 for the first time in 23 years! And diabetes is CURED!!!!!  Off all diabetes medications and my A1c is 5.1!!!!  For all you carb haters that fell for the lies about carbs causing diabetes, I am living proof that is WRONG! It is caused by animal fats from meat, dairy and eggs.  I eat potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, and bread.  I do stick with whole grains and unprocessed carbs as much as possible, but my A1c was way higher when I was on insulin and eating a low carb diet.  AND ALL of my bloodwork is normal!  I am healthier than I have ever been at 66!

So if anyone is interested in being your healthiest self and needs any tips and tricks, hit me up on FB or PM me.  I am always glad to share the knowledge I have learned about plant based eating.

Guide to Going Plant Based

She Remembered Who She Was…………

Wait just a damn minute…..NO! This is not who I am and this is not what I want. I can do anything I put my mind to and giving up is not an option! I am strong, I am powerful, I am capable, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to stay in my home. Period. End of subject. Just because I am older does not mean I am useless! If no one wants to hire me because of my age, I will work for myself. I have owned several businesses over my many years of working. I have always been resourceful and I know I can find a way to make a living, to make enough money to not only cover my house payments, but to thrive! I don’t need a 9-5 job for that. I have been down this road before and I know that I can do anything, that I can create the life I want. All it takes is determination, belief in myself, faith in what is to come, and a lot of hard work. Since when have I ever been afraid of hard work? And besides, my house has told me that it does not want me to go. Just as I was about to go sign the lease on the senior apartment, my house told me it has foundation problems. Which means I can’t sell it until that is fixed. Bye bye apartment. And you know what, it was a huge relief. Because now I know what I have to do. And it does not involve giving up! So stand back and watch me roar! Time to go from Racoon Poop to Pansies once again!

Here We Go Again………

After 3 months of unemployment, and facing forced early retirement, I got the final approval for an income restricted, 55+ apartment community. But instead of being happy, I cried most of the afternoon. Even though this is only for one year, I still can’t imagine walking away from my beautiful home that I love so much and moving into senior housing. I know it is the sensible thing to do, but this house is the culmination of 50 years of blood, sweat and tears. I worked so hard, and pushed through so much pain and fatigue over the years, prior to going vegan, to keep working, keep getting promotions, to make enough money to afford a house like this. When I moved in here I truly believed this was my forever home. Everything in my soul is telling me to stay here, not sell my home, that I can find a job and keep my home. But the reality is that no one hires people over 65.

I have always been so strong, and so independent, and so much a “you can do anything you put your mind to” kind of person. I can do this! I have to figure out the logistics of this transition. So much packing to do, so much planning to do. I need to schedule the movers. I need to be sure I have help the day of the move to setup my computers and TV. Whatever day me and the cats move, I need my computer, my TV and my Internet. I have to get the utilities setup, Internet arranged, change of address done.

I am going to improve my attitude, stop crying, pull up my big girl panties, suck it up, and do what has to be done. Just not sure that is going to be today. I am not my usual positive self today, just feeling very fragile and broken right now.

Stay tuned for the next chapter in the ongoing saga of my life. Once I am settled in my new apartment, and this house is sold, I will begin the next journey of planning and building a tiny house to spend my retirement years in. It will be a very interesting and exciting journey. I just need to get from here to there…….

New Book Released!

My newest book is now available in both eBook and paperback versions. You can get it on Amazon or any book seller.

Help spread the word!

I look forward to reading your reviews and feedback.

Thank you all for your continued support!

eBook

Paperback

Standard American Diet (SAD) versus Whole Foods, Plant Based Diet

Just as a comparison, on the left is me a little over a year ago on the standard American diet. On the right is today after a year on a whole foods, plant based diet. Down 53 pounds, reversed diabetes and high blood pressure, no more oxygen needed, and pain level dramatically decreased. I can now walk short distances and ride my exercise bike 30 minutes every day. Plants for the win!  If you don’t think it matters what you eat, think again!  From in a wheelchair, on oxygen, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and chronic severe pain, with an estimated two years to live to no oxygen, all blood work normal, walking, exercising and feeling fantastic!  If you have any doubt that animal products are the root of all illness just ask.  I will be happy to help you transition!

  

 

Short Update

I have not written anything in quite a while. Life, and the holidays, got in the way and the blog was not priority. I am still 100% plant based, vegan and committed to protecting my health, the animals, and the planet.

I haven’t lost a lot more weight since I last posted, I hit the 50 pound loss mark in September and then hit a plateau through the holidays where I wavered up and down a few pounds for months. I finally broke the plateau and lost another 4 pounds last week so my total loss so far is 54 pounds.

I hope to get back to more vegan mentoring and coaching so if anyone needs someone to guide them through choosing the healthiest diet for yourself and the planet just let me know. I am always available to help.  Gloria Vester Life and Vegan Coaching

Here are some helpful books to help you make the transition that will change your life, give you your health back and provide the best possible future.

Forks Over Knives

Plant Pure Nation

What the Health

Plants for the win!