Simple Happiness

I’m so glad to report that many dark chocolates have no dairy or butter in them 😁

@greengold .....oh good luck on your new diet (vegetarian?) .. if I had my life to live over again and had a choice in all my meals, I would hope I would not eat "meat" but not sure about eggs and fish (and chocolate has no bones)

@lacy2
Well, I'm 85 and wanted to maintain my health. It is beyond vegetarian , as vegetarians can have very unhealthy diets. This Whole Foods (so close to natural), and plant based ( lots of grains, rice and vegetables, fruits)
No added sugars, oils or salts. Lots of delicious food, but unfortunately no chocolate. 😊

I have given up several "pleasures" sometimes knowingly and sometimes I surprise myself. For instance, in the 70's, I smoked cigars and pipe tobacco. I had a manager who went to England for a long business meeting. He brought back gifts for each of the people in his department. he asked us what we would like. I asked for English tobacco. I soon discovered the difference between English and American tobacco. American tobacco is cured in molasses (sugar). We become addicted to two things: nicotine and sugar! English tobacco is not cured in molasses, if anything. Within two months, I unconsciously stopped smoking! About 20 years ago, my Endocrinologist suggested a book, "Dr Bonner's Program to Reverse Diabetes" which was to adopt a Vegan diet. I and my wife (diagnosed as prediabetic) went "cold turkey" and gave up all animal fat and protein. Within one month she was back to normal and my insulin requirements dropped 80%! From 50 units a meal to 10! I never cared for beer but I went from rum and coke, to Bourbon and coke, to scotch one ice cube please. My favorite and now my birthday drink is a Rusty Nail. A rusty nail is a shot scotch and a shot of Drambuie (scotch liquor). Not allowed in unbirthday parties. So alcohol consumption is about one drink per year.

I started on Trulicity and moved to Ozempic, I have lost 30 kilos. This is the first time I have been below 200 pounds since 1966 when I returned from my National Guard training. Now I am between 180 to 185 pounds. I feel I need to drop another 10 kilos to be off insulin entirely!

@greengold

If you would to have the taste of meat without the meat, try the Herbivorous Butcher Shop in Minneapolis. All of their meat and cheeses are plant based with no dairy or eggs. The problem is their meatless meat costs the about the same as the beef meat. The cheeses are soy, almond milk. coconut milk, or oak milk based. I enjoy the tastes. They also have pork and chicken. Look them up on the web. They ship anywhere in the USA.

Spending time with my grandchildren. Being able to see the world thru the eyes of children is a wonderful gift from the higher power.

@rollingf The Rusty Nail was my father’s favorite drink. I like it also but haven’t made it for quite a while. I forgot the measurements and couldn’t remember if it was equal amounts or double of one.

Sugar is in a lot of stuff to make us want it. I avoid carrageenan in foods so whipped cream and ice cream are banned. Whipping my own cream takes time but you can taste a difference.

@newrochelle1131 The end of Proverbs 127, Children are a gift from God. Proverbs 128 leads into the family unit that is blessed.

@rollingf
Thanks for the tip. I'm Canadian and new to this WFPB lifestyle. Right now, I don't miss the taste of meat or dairy and trying not to substitute for the foods I am eliminating, but enjoying the tastes of vegetables, fruits and grains. And I do taste them when not adding extra sugar, salt, oils to them.
I feel I am more satiated at the end if the day ( maybe all those vitamins, minerals, antioxidants I'm now consuming. I don't want to lose weight, but have lost 4 pounds with feeling full all the time. It has to be good for my eyes and neuropathy😊.
Betty

@rollingf ...spouse on 14 meds a day various issues and one of those for diabetes causes appetite loss.. I think that is how Oxempic was started? ... he is in 70s and eats 1/3 of what he did when younger. Daughter's lady who helps housework once a week is on it and lost weight but now concerned as read once off it, people are putting back all the weight lost plus some: I just don't know what to believe any more.. Internet is good but so many conflicting info reports. I think anyone who tries to get healthier deserves a pat on the back and not only rely on meds. However, saying that, my spouse still smokes and has alcohol during day but has all his life, not to excess but what is excess?