Lorinda Jean

It all started when I realized that I took more photos of my food than of my own face. I'm seventeen, aren't I supposed to have 500+ selfies on my camera roll?

It never used to be this way. I mean, I always hated taking photos of myself, but back then I loathed to show the (intagram) world what I was eating on the regular. Greasy microwave dinners, tubs of ice cream, processed junk. I was ashamed of my body, and feeling there was nothing I could do about it, continued on with this cycle of junk food and prayed for a miracle.

And then, it came.

Well, I wouldn't out right call it a miracle so much as a wake up call. One day as I was browsing Netflix and I came across a documentary called Vegucated. After watching it I was moved to tears and frustration over the food industry and vowed that I simply could no longer support my nasty food habits. I cut out meat and most dairy products. I started heavily researching vegetarian recipes and planted my own herb garden.

After about a month I started noticing the effects my new lifestyle. I felt more active, could work out longer and harder. I lost weight. More importantly, I wasn't as sickly or hungry all the time. I ate when I was hungry, and stopped when I was satisfied. My god, did food taste amazing. I never realized how great homemade food was and how versatile a vegetarian diet could be. I found myself eating a wider variety of things. It certainly didn't feel restricting. It wasn't a diet that left me longing to stuff my face with cake; it made me feel good physically and mentally. I feel good about how I nourish my body, knowing that what I am doing serves not only me but my environment.

I'm currently a senior in high school applying for college. I hope to by nutritionist and share my love for wholesome food. I live in Hawaii, where fresh is year round. My plan is to one day convert to veganism, but I'm taking baby steps as I can't exactly part with my beloved brie just yet.