Nutrition, Veganism 1 comment

Oh How I Love Thee, Alligator Pear!

By theveganasana on June 12th, 2013

I have a confession. You might want to sit down for this one.

I don’t think I ever ate avocado before I was an adult.

I know! RIGHT?!?!

Now, if you are good at geography, and I tell you that I was born and raised in Indiana, you’ll probably understand this immediately. Even as recently as the 70s (yes, it’s not that recent, but in the grand scheme…), food transportation was not all it is today and it was rather expensive to get items in the middle of the country that were only grown on the edges. So, I pretty much thought that catfish was seafood, never had an avocado or guava, and believed a mango was a green pepper.

And then, some time after I started college, avocado happened. I think I liked it immediately, but I wasn’t head over heels. And then, over time, as I started to realize all the ways it could be served (besides the usual guacamole or pico de gallo), I became more and more of a fan. And, as a vegan, avocado quickly became my replacement for a creamy sandwich spread when mayo was out.

So, besides the fact that it has buttery deliciousness, pairs well with savory or sweet, and can be fashioned into spread or eaten in chunks, what’s so great about the avocado? It’s good for you!

Avocado can help you control your cholesterol. While high in fat, the monosaturated nature of the fat helps to increase HDL cholesterol (the good stuff), while decreasing LDL (the bad stuff).

Avocados are a great source of potassium (1 avocado is around 2 bananas worth of potassium). Potassium has been correlated with lower stroke risk, lower blood pressure, and healthier bones and muscles.

Antioxidants are also strongly present in the avocado. The particular antioxidants that are in avocados are good for maintenance of vision as you age, and may even improve eyesight. Avocado antioxidants have also been associated with reduced cancer risk.

1/4th of an avocado can provide almost 10% of your daily fiber requirement; over 5% of your vitamin C, B6, and E; and 7.5% of folic acid.

I could go on, but I think I’ve made my point. This would normally be where I would insert a good picture of a sandwich with avocado on it. And, I did make one. But then I accidentally ate it instead of taking a picture. Trust me, it looked good.

Now, go eat an avocado.

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Family 10 comments

On Passing Time, Missing Mamas, and Moving Into What’s Next

By theveganasana on June 4th, 2013

1998

November 2012

It’s my birthday today. I suppose “ladies” aren’t supposed to be willing to share how old they are, but I’m not particularly conflicted about it. I’m 47 today.

In some ways, I can’t believe that I’m this age. It seems like just a minute ago I was in college, trying to decide what to do with my life. And then a minute later, I was having my first child. And then I finished grad school and got a teaching job. Then suddenly, here I am a dean with 3 adult children and 3 other teens. I catch myself in the mirror now and then when I’m not expecting it, or see myself in an unfamiliar way (like in an flipped picture or upside down), and I’m surprised at the fact that the middle -aged woman I see is me. I still feel like I’m maybe not old enough to have kids and someone is going to figure it out soon, or not old enough to be a dean, and eventually I’ll get caught.

In other ways, it feels like I’ve done so much in these 47 years. I’ve raised – with my spouse and the help of others – 110 years worth of kids (it’s the new math). I’ve gotten several degrees and some certifications. I’ve seen a LOT of Tom Petty concerts. I’ve written a lot, read even more. I’ve enjoyed the ups (mostly) and downs (some) of two decades of marriage to a great man. It’s a whole bunch of stuff.

I’ve always heard that to know what a woman will be like in the future you should look at her mother. And, while I don’t necessarily think that is accurate, there is certainly something to be said about reflecting on the path of your parents’ lives to see where yours might go, and I’ve always compared my life and my self to my mom at the same age.

My mother died in 1993, at the age of 47. So, as I approach the end of the timeline where I can compare, I am missing my mother quite a lot. I wonder how her life would have been at 50 or 60. I am wishing that she was here to tell me what she thinks of where I am at 47 and where I should go.

I am lucky, however, to have had others who mothered me in the years before and since. My grandmother, Loran, was a second mother to me as a child and into adulthood, and I was able to watch her life course over many years (she died at 90 and we were able to spend 43 years together) and see myself in her. My step-mother, Kathie, has also provided me with that vision of womanhood and time. And there are many other women who have served as examples and points of reference for me.

So, now, as I start a new year, I wonder what is next for me, and where I’m going from here. I know (I think) about some things, like the nutrition consultant certification that I’m getting (hopefully by the end of the summer), and upcoming  yoga workshop events. I know which children are graduating from what grades this year, and basically where they are headed and I know those changes will change my parenting. I have some clues about what might unfold in my career(s), but it’s all rather murky right now. Mysterious… in a good way.

Off we go into the 48th year of my life. It’s ok with me to be 47. I’m looking forward to seeing how this year blossoms.