I never thought I would make it this far, but I have! I've been a vegan for a month. An entire month. That's right folks, I haven't eaten any meat or dairy for 30+ days. Wahoo! And it only took several attempts to get here.
I have a lot of dreams and goals (and being a vegan has been one of them), yet I am horrible at executing them. I start them with the intention of following through but then, I just turn unbelievably lazy. I know this is one of my worst flaws, but I'm working on it. And finally succeeding as a vegan proves that.

This time it wasn't that hard of a transition. Which is strange, coming from a once before meat loving machine! But after the holidays I knew veganism wasn't only the right thing to do for animals, but for my own health as well.
If you don't know already, I have Ulcerative Colitis. UC is an autoimmune disease that is Chron's baby brother. Basically to put it short, my immune system isn't the smartest and attacks my intestines, giving me ulcers that can cause mild to extreme symptoms. I recently started a new medicine to calm down my immune system called Humira. I stared this medicine the middle of December and I instantly started feeling better. I was also eating a mostly plant based diet and was feeling pretty dang good.
But then the holidays rolled around and I broke. I had some meat, and a lot of dairy.
The next week was brutal, and I was in so much pain. Nothing really out of the ordinary, it felt like any ordinary flare up with medicine. But that was the thing, I should have never had severe flare ups with my medicine. It clicked in my brain after that. My body reacts badly to meat and dairy, no matter what medicine I am currently using. So I started my plant based diet over again, and after a few weeks, I was back to 'normal'.
I still have a lot of symptoms, but they are a lot more manageable then before. I also started an exercising and mediation routine which have also helped calm my disease. Who knew breathing could help a girl's tummy issues?
Food wise, I am in love. Yes, there are some days where I'm craving bologna sandwiches or bacon and eggs. But veganism doesn't limit you as much as people think. Sure, you have to cook a lot if you want to eat, but that's a good thing! For one you are more likely to not eat like crap. Two, it is way cheaper than eating out. Healthier and cheaper, who couldn't ask for a better deal? And not to toot my own horn, but I've made some amazing recipes. I have found several foods that I have on a regular basis. A lot of potatoes, pasta, chickpea salad sandwiches (These are amazing you don't know what you're missing!), stir fries, more potatoes, smoothies, black bean tacos, the list is endless.

I hope that the longer I stay vegan, the better my health is. It's a long shot, there is no cure for Ulcerative Colitis. But I am confident that a healthy vegan lifestyle will make this disease bearable.
I may have started this journey for my health, but animals play an important role as well. I love animals, and I finally feel like I'm doing what I was meant to. I hope someone out there took something from this! I wanted to share my story and maybe inspire other people to try out a plant based diet. Now go eat an apple and save some animals!

Why Self Improvement is Important

Starting a self improvement website is something I've always wanted to do. I want to help others be the best person they can be. But why is self improvement so important? I mean who cares if we are a good person or not? What really is the point of improving one self? Well, as my first post on my new website, I am hear to answer that exact question.

I went to a dark lonely place when I was a teenager. I was at a very low point in my life, and I struggled to find myself. But after taking a long look at who I was and what I wanted, I started to grow. I looked at who I was and what I didn't like and how I wanted to change for the better. I stopped having a pity party and was realistic with myself. Self improvement gives you hope that things will be better. Life can be better when you realize what's really wrong. What really is making you unhappy. And usually it's you unintentionally hurting yourself.

So self improvement is like a map to happiness. Because once you're happy with who you are, then you can finally be happy with everything around you.

Being a good person also helps the world. Sounds a bit over-exaggerating I know but it is true. How much better would the world be if everyone were happy? Happiness spreads like wild fire, and one smile can go a long way.

So, let's stop with the pity party and start self improving! Let's be remarkable!

Cliche or not, here are my New Year Resolutions!

 I know how extremely cliche it is to have New Year Resolutions. It seems so...corny and pointless. Many people make these goals and then never stick to them. And I, am defiantly one of those people.


However I enjoy writing resolutions anyway. They gave me a somewhat 'fresh start' to the new year.
And let's be honest, everyone loves a reason to have a fresh start.

I honestly don't really remember what my resolutions were last year, but I know I didn't complete all of them, if any. I also make way too big of goals then feel depressed when I don't reach them immediately. It's my fatal flaw of being ambitious and impatient.

This year there is no pressure. I only made seven resolutions this year to hopefully give me a better chance on completing them. I am so excited because all of them I want to do and I am already in the process of doing. So, here are my seven New Year Resolutions.

#1 Publish my book!
This is a huge goal for me, it's actually one of my many life goals. But it has finally become in reach! In 2015 I finished writing my novel. With the help of Nanowrimo I wrote my book in two months. I did succeed in reaching the 50,000 goal in the month of November, it just took a bit to finish afterwards (but I did it!). This year is all about editing, finding and agent, and getting that book on the shelves! Yes yes yes!

#2 Become a vegan. For real this time.
I've been struggling to actually stick to a vegan diet. But from time and time again, it is the best option for my health. Having Ulcerative Colitis is defiantly tricky, and from experience I now can say for certain that my body responds better to a veggie diet. Plus, I have always wanted to become vegan for ethical reasons, so there's that too!

#3 Write a short film screenplay.
I have loved writing my novel, and I am for sure going to continue to write books until I'm wrinkly and withering away. But I've also always loved screenwriting and never do it enough. This year I want to write a short film and maybe start planning to film it? How cool would that be?

#4 Rock climbing!
I've been rock climbing once many many years ago. And I loved it. It's challenging and very rewarding. Which is my type of sport. I've always wanted to be more physically fit (my arms are like noodles) and challenge myself physically. Exercising is so boring when you aren't doing something fun in my opinion. I found a rock climbing gym not to far from where I live so I plan to go there very very soon!

#5 Transform this blog into a Self-Improvement Website.
I've been experimenting for years of what kind of blog I want to write. I tried writing tv show reviews, and although they were fun, it was extremely time consuming. As much as I love television, I just couldn't write about it anymore. I like to sit back and enjoy my show, not take notes the entire time. Maybe I'll do a couple more in the future, but this website is no longer steering into a review site. But I have finally found something I've always been passionate about! Self Improvement.
I want to help others love themselves and hopefully guide people to happiness. It's something I've always wanted to do and I think it's what the world needs. Who knows if I'll be good at it, but this is going to be my next project.

#6  Act in something. Anything!
I haven't acted in anything in years. Which is so sad and honestly makes me want to cry a little bit! Acting is a strong passion of mine next to writing. But I never even try anymore! It's difficult finding things to act in but I need to try more. This year I will act in something. I must!

#7 Take more photos.
I bought a really nice camera two years ago and I never use it. I really need to get back into photography. One of my mini goals to help this goal is to post a photo a day on my Instagram. I just need to stop being so lazy. I want to take more photos with my phone and my actual camera. I just need to go out into the word and start snapping!

This year is going to be a good one. I can feel it! This is going to be my year. I'm going to make sure of it!