After decades of eating meals planned around a main course of meat, I gave it up in July, 2019. My son, who had recently switched to plant-based eating, told me how his health had improved and hinted that I might feel better if I stopped eating meat. I thought I was doing pretty well for a grandmother of seven, but I had resigned myself to living with an annoying cough, aches and pains in my back and legs, decreasing energy and daily blood pressure medicine for the rest of my life.

I decided to give it a shot. I immediately felt positive effects and found it surprisingly easy, even fun, to change my habits and explore new ways of enjoying food. Plant-based living describes lifetime habits rather than a temporary diet; it refers to things that I do rather than something that I am. It helps me focus and gives me the freedom to get back on track if I get off. I’m feeling so good, I don’t mind what you call me. I just want to share my experiences and hope you’ll do the same.

I’ve been a wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, translator, and university administrator in Texas, Massachusetts, and Mexico. On July 9, 2020, I added great-grandmother to that resume. I have lived in Cancún, Mexico, since June, 2017. I’m always glad to hear from you!

~ Mary Ann Lesh

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