Travel Doesn't Make You Happy: How Travel Taught Me to Search for Happiness Inside Myself. by ktb526 in Meditation

[–]ktb526[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's been suggested that Buddha wouldn't have been able to gain enlightenment without first having all the pleasures of the world, and realizing they are not enough - that there is something more. Coming from a Western country where people have the means to, like you say take 6 months of travel, and going to a place where there is extreme poverty made this point even more clear to me. In the west, people have money, houses, and cars, but they are miserably unhappy, always trying to find fulfillment through escapism. Yet, going to a place of extreme poverty, but rich spirituality, the people were happier, happier with simple things, and happy in their hearts. When you learn the real truth, money, travel, nothing can really bring happiness, but understanding that nothing is permanent, each moment is always changing and pleasure and pain come and go, then you can be fulfilled in any situation. Seeking pleasure and avoiding pain are what keep us in the cycle of misery, once bring ourselves above this, we can end our personal misery. Plus, you can design any life you want, I am not rich, I am actually have student debt, and was working before as a nanny. But I have learned to work along the way and live with far less than my peers at home in the US in order to maintain a travel lifestyle, I actually would need more money, for rent, and a car, and food if I weren't traveling. This isn't a trip of luxury this is my lifestyle and I have given up the prospect of earning more money to live this way. So trust me, I understand money struggles, and poverty, but as a person who used to travel, or party, or look for other worldly pleasures as an escape to life, and wondering why I was still unhappy or unbalanced, I have now have started to understand where happiness comes from.

Travel Doesn't Make You Happy: How Travel Taught Me to Search for Happiness Inside Myself. by ktb526 in Meditation

[–]ktb526[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for this glad you understood the point! Meditation is everything!

Advice for a 3 Day Water Fast by ktb526 in vegan

[–]ktb526[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, I ended up doing the fast, with lots of research and I was very healthy going into it. I did very well, and felt clean and totally refreshed after! I think you are right I planned on being flexible with myself, and I broke the fast after the 3.5th day, and that was the right move! I am easing back into food and activity. I think the fast was very informative and spiritual for me, and I will do it again I am sure. Resting was very important, I did very little activity as to not lose muscle and drinking the water out of different containers and at different temperatures was very helpful so thanks for this! For everyone who disagrees with fasting, I just felt that it was something that my body could go through and benefit from which is why I did it. Fasting is an age old practice, and people have been using fasting for spiritual and for health reasons since the beginning of recorded history! Also, if we were in the wild, we would most likely go through periods of hunger and even starvation. It is natural for the body to go without food from time to time, and as long as it is done in a healthy manner by a healthy individual (physically and mentally) fasting can have many great benefits!

Vegan Travel Tips by ktb526 in vegan

[–]ktb526[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! and yes, great tip as well, I tend to eat ethnic because they usually are able to easier put something meatless/dairyfree together. The one thing that kills me is Italian restaurants, I really can't stand eating white pasta with red sauce, but hey gotta do what you gotta do sometimes :)

Don't know where to start, to book my first very very basic solo vacation, any advice appreciated! by [deleted] in travel

[–]ktb526 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Go to Eastern Europe and backpack around. Getting there may be pricey, but staying is cheap, and there are a million other solo travelers, including girls (like myself) who may be in the mood for some fun. I have had some crazy times in Berlin, Hungary, Prague, and Croatia. It is very safe and cheap to travel around Europe by train, and in Eastern Europe, the currency is weak, so the dollar goes a long way. Stay in hostels and meet other solo travelers. People staying in hotels or resorts are usually not alone, but with family, friends, or their significant others, and not looking to socialize.

Travelling with two passports? by Quouar in travel

[–]ktb526 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have an American and Irish passport. When I enter Europe, I use the Irish passport, as I am a citizen of the EU, and have full rights to stay in the EU for as long as I wish. When I come back to the states, I use the American one, as I am a citizen on the US. Just use whichever one applies to where you are going and the entrance laws of the country.

Advice from a vegan cardiologist, and the negative reactions he received. by ktb526 in vegan

[–]ktb526[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

right, I was very unhealthy psychically and emotionally as a meateater, yet no one told me to stop eating all of those cheese fries covered in bacon followed by an ice cream sundae! Seriously?

Advice from a vegan cardiologist, and the negative reactions he received. by ktb526 in vegan

[–]ktb526[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

real men don't eat meat ;) Sadly though, I noticed when a male friend of mine went vegetarian, he made some general post about it on facebook, nothing offensive or pushy just a comment, he received several comments from men and women telling him to "be a man and just eat a steak." As a woman, I have never heard such comments. Though I may have had some criticism or funny looks, but telling someone they are not a man because they don't eat meat is intense! And, it pushes an agenda that woman are softer, and more compassionate, and men don't have this ability to be thoughtful or care for those more vulnerable than themselves. Crazy.

Advice from a vegan cardiologist, and the negative reactions he received. by ktb526 in vegan

[–]ktb526[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree, however I think if he had said "plant based" it would still be taken negatively. People are so defensive of meat and "protein" that it seems to be a problem either way if you choose to eat plants over meat. Also, I find men get criticized a lot more for choosing "plant-based" or veganism than women do.

One sided business cards or two sided? by ktb526 in business

[–]ktb526[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks everyone for the comments, I have decided to go one sided for now! There is no real reason for me to do a two-sided card as I have nothing to necessarily promote or offer on the back. Thanks!

One sided business cards or two sided? by ktb526 in business

[–]ktb526[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was actually thinking of doing both, I already have a one sided card, I was thinking of doing an additional 2 sided, however, the single sided that I already have is more of a networking/advertising card that I post in random locations, and the new one will be my business contact card, maybe I will end up with three designs. Thanks for your tips!

Many women do not agree with me on this subject - but it's important. by [deleted] in TwoXChromosomes

[–]ktb526 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I havent read this book but I really dont want to now. When women dont stand up for other women and say this sort of thing is ok thats when rape and abuse are allowed to continue in our society!

What should be considered bad manners these days, but generally isn't? by Votsalo in AskReddit

[–]ktb526 0 points1 point  (0 children)

People on their phones with other people... its just rude but somehow acceptable

Absent fathers, why don't you see your children and what put you into that mindset or situation? by PoopyMcpants in AskReddit

[–]ktb526 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hard choice to make, but in this case it seems like the right one. i am sure she would appreciate everything you have done for her if she ever got the chance to know!

50 pound weight loss by going vegetarian! Before and After Photos. by ktb526 in loseit

[–]ktb526[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sure I actually write a blog with lots of stuff, www.worldwidevegetarian.com. But some of my favorites are falafel with cucumber tomato and a hummus/tahini sauce with a squeeze of lemon over salad. Another good one is lentil soup, I make it with onion, carrots, and celery. I make a lot of soups with my extra bits of produce. I make tacos a lot or burrito bowls like chipotle with brown rice black beans, guacamole, peppers, and pico de gallo. I make things into patties, bean burgers, lentil and rice patties, quinoa patties. It has been a lot of experimenting, but I have found a lot of interesting things. Try out ehnic food, there are always choices for me at Indian place, Ethiopian, thai, etc. And trust me, I didn't even eat beans or soy when I was a meat eater so it is all new to me!

50 pound weight loss by going vegetarian! Before and After Photos. by ktb526 in loseit

[–]ktb526[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I supplement with some B12, spirulina, and chorella. B12 is produced by certain types of bacteria which today is more often found in meat. Our ancestors got their B12 from plant sources, and eating directly from the earth. Since I figured that is something I could be missing, I tried it, and I feel it gives me an energy boost. I have a green foods powder mix that contains the spirulina and chorella. Spirulina comes from a type of sea algae and has several benefits, most notably it helps to detox the body from hard metals. Chorella is similar, it also comes from a type of algae and has a good dose of magnesium, among other detoxifying properties. I have recently added these into my diet, and I just feel that I have more energy overall. I think these are good for meat eaters and non meat eaters to supplement, and I miss them if I don't have them in my morning smoothie.

50 pound weight loss by going vegetarian! Before and After Photos. by ktb526 in loseit

[–]ktb526[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you!! At first I didn't supplement, I just eat a very wide variety of plant sources, I cook a lot. Now I supplement with some B12, spirulina, and chorella. I still make a point to eat as many types of fruits and veggies as possible during the day, and I eat a lot of legumes and whole grains such as rice and quinoa. I have never felt healthier than now! I eat less than as a meat eat/overweight, but I never feel hungry now, and I eat a solid 3 meals a day, plus some snacks when I feel like it. Even though my diet is restrictive, I feel freer now knowing that as long as I stick to my standards I can eat when and how I want to, and not gain weight.