Written by PETA
Congratulations, Marisa Serrano! Because this beautiful bride-to-be lost 17 pounds and improved her health by going vegan, she's been named the winner of PETA's first-ever Wedding Dress Weight-Loss Challenge. Marisa will receive a one-of-a-kind vegan wedding dress created by Linda Loudermilk as well as three free fittings with the in-demand designer. And she'll have peace of mind knowing that she won't have to struggle to fit into her custom-made dress on her wedding day.
Marisa told us that she had been vegetarian for two years prior to starting our challenge in July. But like many new vegetarians, she made the mistake of replacing the meat in her diet with cheese—and packed on unwanted pounds as a result. Now that she's stopped eating dairy foods, Marisa's lost weight, and her nasal allergies, sinus infections, and acne have all cleared up.
Brides spend tons of money on weight-loss plans every year when just going vegan could do the trick. If you want to have your (vegan) wedding cake and eat it too on your big day, remove animal-derived foods from your diet now to slim down and stay in shape.
Written by Paula Moore
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE FOR THE WELL WISHES AND COMPLIMENTS! It was not easy. I counted calories like crazy, called ahead to restaurants to check their ingredients, sat idly by starving while people chowed down on flesh, and forced fake politeness with a "No thank you, I'm vegan", while people looked at me like I was nuts!' I also exercise six days a week. @ Blythe, I also had a hormone imbalance, although mine came before I was ever vegetarian, I've had great results with the herbs Dong Quai and Chaste-berry in helping balance my hormones. For me, there's too much conflicting research on soy for me to give it up. There is the research you spoke of, as well as numerous studies showing the phyto-estrogens in soy actually bind to excess estrogen in your body and assist in flushing them out the liver. The conflicting claims make it hard to decide so I encourage every woman to experiment with her diet to see what works best for her, in addition to the fact that some women may naturally produce more estrogen than others, I believe there is no "one theory fits all" on this matter; but I certainly do believe that too much of anything can be bad. In addition, current research STRONGLY suggests that parabens, synthetic fragrances, and the like found in almost all beauty products mimic estrogen once absorbed in the body and create massive imbalances. I've switched my face creams for organic jojoba oil and body lotion for apricot, coconut, coco butter and olive oils. For deodorant I've switched to 'Liquid Rock', as the aluminum and lymph node suffocating properties are also believed to contribute to imbalances. I can't say it will cure everyone but what I can say is my hormones were unbalanced before and now they're not. All of these steps were vital to my success and thank you so much PETA for this great challenge ;)- Marisa
Congratulations to the bride, she is lovely. I wish I could see her dress!
I try to eat meat only once a day and I cannot consume dairy as I am allergic to it. I like soy, but my husband does not so rather than eat soy substitutes for meat I eat other things that are high in protein such as beans and nuts. As a kid I hated vegetables but as an adult I love them so that is no problem (cauliflower and brussels sprouts are my favorites, and mashed turnips...yum!).
Thank you so much everyone for the well wishes and compliments on my success! It was not easy. I counted calories like crazy, called ahead to restaurants to check their ingredients, sat idly by starving while people chowed down on flesh, and forced fake politeness with a "No thank you, I'm vegan", while people looked at me like I was nuts!' I also exercise six days a week. @ Blythe, I also had a hormone imbalance, although mine came before I was ever vegetarian, I've had great results with Dong Qaui and Chasteberry in helping balance my hormones. For me, there's too much conflicting research on soy for me to give it up. There is the research you spoke of, as well as numerous studies showing the phyto estrogens in soy actually bind to excess estrogen in your body and assist in flushing them out the liver. In addition, current research STRONGLY suggests that parabens, synthetic fragrances, and the like found in almost all beauty products mimic estrogen once absorbed in the body and create massive imbalances. I've switched my face creams for organic jojoba oil and body lotion for apricot, coconut, coco butter and olive oils. For deodorant I've switched to 'Liquid Rock'. I can't say it will cure everyone but what I can say is my hormones were Unbalanced before and now they're not. All of these steps were vital to my success and thank you so much PETA for this great challenge ;)
youre hot ;D
congrats!
I have been vegan for twos years and have lost 25 lbs my first year and another 48 this year so far! Wish I new about this wedding challenge as Im getting married in June... But great job to the bride!
There are few factors to be considered while choosing your diet.
0) Human body design
1) Your health
2) Effect on enviornment
3) impact on economy
4) moral and ethical issues.
vegan diet surpasses meat in ALL of above categories.
If you look at human body carefully, we are NOT designed to eat meat. we do not have sharp nails and teeth like carnivores. Carnivores have digestive track 3 times larger than their bodylength.Human digestive track is 12 times larger than their body. The shorter length of cranover tract is meant to eject meat out of body quickly since meat beging to decay as soon as animal is killed. Since we have large digestive tract, meat will stay in our body for long time and will rot for longer. This affects health immensly. Secondly carnivores' stomach produce acid 20 times more than human stomach. Perhaps that's the reason it is mandatory for meat eaters to drink soda(very acidic) while eating.
Being vegan is not only good for YOUR body, it does great favor to environment and economics. Meat industry can not survive without huge subsidiary from Government i.e tax dollars you and I pay.It takes 23 gallon of water to produce 1 lb of wheat while ~2500 gallons of water to process 1 lb of meat.So being vegan helps enviornment. If you have pet in your house, best way to love animals is by being vegan. WE ARE NOT GRAVEYARD FOR DEAD ANIMALS.
The list of advantages of being vegan/vegetarian is very long. I have sympathy for Blythe who has to undergo surgery while transitioning to veganism. There are thounsands of dishes that don't use tofu/soybeans and they are still vegetarian dishes. Any one who wants to explore about them can read book
" The higher taste". This book may be available for free at nearest ISKCON.
It is just myth that vegetarians don't get enough protein. If someone ask " how about protein" respond them " How does elephant get it " ?
I've been vegetarin all my life.If some one has question about vegetarin food, I would be glad to point in right direction.
Re: Blythe. Thanks for the tip: a balanced vegan diet is the healthiest. There are plenty of other tasty options besides soy! For more information about a balanced diet, visit: www.peta.org/.../eating-for-life.aspx. And for great vegan recipes, check out: www.peta.org/.../default.aspx. - PETA
Cheers to all vegans.
Hi Blythe!
I'm really sorry to hear you had such a bad reaction to soy, especially since it's in so many foods at the moment!
Don't forget that there's plenty of other ways to get your calcium and protein without eating soy, just keep your eyes peeled (I know there is a brand called quorn over in Australia which has gone soy free, unfortunatly the products I've seen all have eggs and milk).
I would love to see all of the pictures from the wedding, this bride-to-be looks STUNNING! I don't know whether she got a tan as well but I'm pretty sure she's glowing.
I hope she has a very happy marriage filled with happy little vegan children :)
I have read lots of bad stuff about soy. Google mercola.com and read some of his articles on soy. There are lots of calorie dense foods that are vegan such as potato chips and doughnuts. So no guarantee you will lose weight choosing this diet.
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