Carnivore to the Heart

Have you ever tried going without meat, soda, and those oh so yummy treats.  Trust me it is harder than you think it is.  I am a true carnivore at heart, and most beans, peas and other not cute vegetables I don't eat.  I rarely indulge in anything green unless its a salad, so please take my word when I say that giving up meat for a 21 days was in itself a challenge.  But the rewards were so great.

Initially I had all the symptoms of withdrawl.  I was cranky as all hell.  However, my crankiness may have also been associated with the fact that I have been ready to depart Afghanistan for about 60 days now.  Anyway, I had the foul breath, and the oh so not fun headaches that go along with giving up my beloved meat.  I also dealt with tiredness from shocking my body with the absence of the diet it was once use too.  But once those four days passed, I was able to run the best 6, 7, and 8 miles of my life.  I have had more energy than I ever did with meat in my diet.  I can stay up and talk to my boo in Korea instead of the all to familiar nap time at lunch.  I actually sleep soundly at night.  Which is weird, because I haven't been able to sleep in like years.  Now, don't get me wrong, I still love meat, but not as much.  Everytime I walk into the DFAC and smell chicken, my mouth starts watering.  But I quickly bypass the chicken for salad with tuna.  Did I mention seafood stirfry is the best.  I still do eat a lot of starches, like potatoes and macaroni and cheese, but I eat more salads than any other normal person.  When there is some type of gravy ladened beef, I quickly sidestep that for a green salad.  No I don't eat peas, and my egg allergies won't allow me to even attempt eating an omlette or quiche, but there are definitely health food benefits to a no meat, veggie and seafood diet.  Plus, you get to experiment with different things.  The food is free here in Afghanistan so of course experimentation is not frowned upon like if I was actually buying it.  But I love broccoli and asparagus.  I KNOW!!!!  When Mongolian Night comes around, I have no problem filling my plate with cabbage, onions, carrots, bell peppers and crab.  It is so yummy, especially with crushed red paper. 

I can't wait until I get to go home.  I am so ready to go.  I miss all you folks in America.  Afghanistan is not the same.  Especially since I have spent the majority of this deployment in solitude.

Love ya...DEUCES!!!!