I have given up milk. My evening 2 cups of cow's milk are now replaced with rice or oat milk. I still eat cheese and yogurt very sparingly, usually when dining outside.

I have also greatly reduced my consumption of meat. I don't have a meat meal but have meat as a small part of that meal, e.g. in a sandwich or a pizza, rather than a whole grilled chicken leg. No meat has been cooked at home save for an occasional grilled slice of fish and a whole bunch of vegetables shared by the whole family. I am thrilled to see Jack pick up tomatoes, broccoli, and green peppers to munch on as much as that piece of salmon.

It has been easy to give up the "usual staples" of milk, beef, as well as pork and even chicken. I feel ill thinking of the poor mother cow crying for her calf. Every mother, I am sure, can empathise with that. That extends to eating the poor animal too. What I am having trouble with is cured meats like bacon. Okay, actually, only bacon. And prosciutto ham. So I eat those and avoid the rest.

Beans and other plant protein have found their way into our diets. So have wholegrains and a lot more fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.

Vegetarian (because of the cheese and yogurt, for probiotics) burritos are a favourite at home, especially with half the meal organic. We do a lot of soups and broths (okay, from cans but hey, they taste good). But the fried rice turned risotto was a disaster. :p I conned my mom into eating some and she didn't flinch but the hubby and child were quite disturbed. Even the cats steered clear.

We have turned into a family of grazers (cf. Sears). We snack on dried fruit and fresh fruit (organic if possible), organic brown rice cakes, organic wholegrain bread with fruit, nuts, seeds, and organic wholegrain cereals. There is no junk food in the house, no sugary or salty snacks. No meat in the freezer.

We stock olives, beans, peppers, broccoli (I buy organic, cut and freeze them), tomatoes, cheese, pasta, soups, wholegrain bread, cereals, kampong eggs (still need to check on the validity of them), and lots of seasonal fruit. I avoid soy, in particular the unfermented ones.

There's a whole world of food out there aside from the usual meat and rice or potatoes combo and it's been thrilling discovering it. I am no fabulous chef but my family is largely, 99% (no risotto please) pleased with my cooking. Jack loves it and gobbles down anything I cook, as long as it is not risotto.

I feel lighter and fresher, surviving well on my 6-7 hours of sleep every night (interrupted). Now Jack and I take a nap in the afternoon together. It has been wonderful for bonding.

It is important for my health that I eat well; but it is important for my heart, my son, and this world we live in that I eat humanely.

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