This morning, I went back to my dentist and got FOUR fillings on my right side.  I had some gnarly cavities after ignoring the dentist for so many years (note to self: go to cleanings every six months).  It was not fun.  Obviously!

IMG_4732

However, my dentist does have a TV that hangs above the chair, so I put on HGTV and blasted the volume to drown out the drilling.   I gave myself a free pass on the TV Diet!  Cavities require distraction.

 

After the Husband picked me up, we came home, and I stared into the fridge, trying to decide what the heck I could eat for lunch when half of my face was numb.  Mid-drool, I decided to go with soup.  Wolfgang Puck Tuscan Bean, to be exact.

IMG_4736

Ugh – the whole dentist trip really solidified my nasty attitude.  In honor of ‘keeping in real’ on the blog, I will now admit that am in a really bad mood!  I’m tired and crabby and overwhelmed, and I seriously would love a free pass to just curl on my couch and take a five-hour nap.  But that’s just not going to happen, so I’m going to ride it out.  I think I’ll feel better if I get work done.  Proactive and positive, as I always say!

 

In other news, did you know it’s National Vegetarian Week? I always wonder about these random holidays, but yes – it’s true! 

photo2415

If you’re not a veggie, I encourage you to participate in Vegetarian Week!  You don’t have to go ‘all the way’ to make a big difference.  Switch it up by going vegetarian for a day or eating a vegetarian dinner every night this week.  Hopefully, you’ll see that being vegetarian is 1) yummy; 2) cheap; and 3) healthy. 

 

The Vegetarian Society has some cool resources to help celebrate this week:

 

 

In a similar vein, have you heard about the new movie Forks Over Knives?

 

FORKS OVER KNIVES examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the so-called “diseases of affluence” that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods. The major storyline in the film traces the personal journeys of a pair of pioneering yet under-appreciated researchers, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn.  You can read the full synopsis here.

 

I’m excited to see the movie, even though it sounds biased (which is one of the reasons I liked Food Inc. so much – it wasn’t necessarily pro-vegetarian, but just educational).  I definitely believe that we can heal ourselves through food and prevent many chronic conditions by eating a plant-based diet.  I’m hoping the movie will include lots of scientific research to back this up! 

 

Forks Over Knives will have a limited release (here are the showtimes), but I hope to catch it next month when it’s shown in Charlotte.

{ 78 comments }

 

  • Natalia - a side of simple May 23, 2011, 1:09 pm

    I’m so sorry you had to start off the week at the dentist. Mondays are rough enough as it is! Hope your day gets better, but if not, embrace it and start fresh tomorrow 🙂 We all need a Moan-day sometimes!

    • CaitlinHTP May 23, 2011, 1:15 pm

      Thanks Natalia 🙂 This made me feel better!

      • Baking 'n' Books May 23, 2011, 1:33 pm

        That makes me feel better too! I think I put too much emphasis on not being able to “start over”, etc. But really – it really is a new day tomorrow. And the past is the past.

        I hope so!

        I’ve always wondered what Wolfgang’s soups were like too. They’re higher in sodium – but that looks delish!

  • susan May 23, 2011, 1:15 pm

    “forks over knives” premiered in portland several months ago, and was the final piece in my “should i go vegetarian” puzzle. i had seen the movies on animal cruelty, and the powers of the meat industry, etc. but for some reason it was the HEALTH aspect that finally did it for me. i have not eaten meat since the night i saw the movie, and doubt i will ever go back.
    dr. esselstyn is restrictive (i still eat a bit of dairy, avocado, nuts, and olive oil), but what stuck in my mind as i left the film was not, wow that guy says you basically can’t eat anything, but hmmm a “plant based whole foods diet”… that makes sense! i don’t just avoid meat thereby eating tons of cheese and processed foods. it’s about a plant based whole foods diet… and i just FEEL so much better =)

    • Food Babe May 24, 2011, 8:34 am

      Susan – I read the China Study which this movie is based on many years ago and it really convinced me to limit my meat consumption. I think the key is balance and when you do eat meat, make sure it is organic and you know where it comes from. The energy that comes from living plants is amazing, isn’t?

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me May 23, 2011, 1:18 pm

    I haven’t been to the dentist in awhile. I don’t have insurance right now. I brush, floss and fluoride rinse everyday so here’s hoping I have no issues when I go back!

    I really do want to see Forks over Knives. I heard about it on Ryan’s blog and am definitely intrigued. It’s not in my area right now but I know I’ll eventually see it. I’ve heard Earthlings was extremely graphic but this movie is not like that.

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg May 23, 2011, 1:20 pm

    I’m interested in seeing that movie — but I might wait until Netflix gets it. There are so many food/documentary movies that I want to see!

    Sorry about the dentist 🙁

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) May 23, 2011, 1:25 pm

    I’ll be celebrating Vegetarian Week! Actually, I celebrate it every week 🙂

  • LauraJayne May 23, 2011, 1:28 pm

    I HATE the dentist. Hate it. I’ve been putting off a visit for years though, so I’m sure I’ve made my next visit even worse now. I should probably just get it over with! Hope your day improves!

  • Lee May 23, 2011, 1:29 pm

    I go to the dentist twice a year and they always find new cavities! My husband, on the other hand, went for the first time in like 5 years and had none! argh!!

    I think we’re going to see that movie this weekend. It came out in Atlanta last week.

  • Ariffa May 23, 2011, 1:32 pm

    ~*~*~*~:)~*~ :)~*~*~*~*~
    ^ those are happy vibes, just for you!
    Sorry you’re feeling down, but just so ya know, you’re pretty epic =D

  • Sarah for Real May 23, 2011, 1:32 pm

    Sorry about the dentist! You have my permission to be in a bad mood.

    I think watching a movie like that, which might be heavily biased, is ok if you go into it with the right mindset.

    Like you said, it can be simply educational but take it with a grain of salt. I think it’s important to have an open mind and question what you see no matter where you’re coming from, Vegan or Texas bbq fanatic or whatever.

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife May 23, 2011, 1:40 pm

    Yes, I agree that food can HEAL us. Instead we too often let food harm us, and that is why our nation is kind of having issues with chronic disease taking over people’s lives and checkbooks!

    And if you sit down for 2 hours and work, you get to play later on….right?? 🙂 Cheer up, you’re amazing!!

  • Julie (A Case of the Runs) May 23, 2011, 1:42 pm

    I just got back from traveling this weekend, and I feel extremely tired this morning even though I slept plenty. Definitely operating in a brain cloud right now… oh Mondays!

    I think if I tried to take a self-photo at the dentist, some blooper would happen.

  • Halley (Blunder Construction) May 23, 2011, 1:43 pm

    TV at the dentist… that would have been nice during a root canal that took 2 hours! Coming from someone whose parent’s couldn’t afford dental care as a kid, I don’t mind the drilling! Drill, baby, drill, just get my mouth fixed up so I don’t have to have dentures when I’m 30!!

  • Amy May 23, 2011, 1:45 pm

    Hope your outlook improves soon! Sometimes when I’m having a crappy day compounded by a crappy attitude, the best (?) thing is to just hang in there a few hours and then have a glass of wine or two. You earned it just by making it through the day!

    Hang in there!

  • Liz May 23, 2011, 1:50 pm

    Sorry you are having a rough week! And I think it is great you can share your grumpiness on the blogs. I hate when bloggers feel pressure to write that everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time.

    • CaitlinHTP May 23, 2011, 2:00 pm

      I do shoot rainbows out of my ass, but only on good days. 😉

      • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) May 23, 2011, 9:47 pm

        I literally laughed out loud at this mental image. If only we could fart rainbows when we needed one..

      • Amber K May 24, 2011, 10:32 am

        Oh my, never take a sip of water before reading comments. Lesson learned LOL

  • Nicole May 23, 2011, 2:02 pm

    What kind of fillings did you end up getting? I am in need of getting some replaced and I know you talked about the silver vs white.

    • Caitlin May 23, 2011, 2:19 pm

      White – no heavy metal potential issues.

  • Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun May 23, 2011, 2:05 pm

    I despise the dentist. Sorry you had so many cavities to get taken care of. I think the drilling sound is the worst. Hope the rest of the day begins to look up for you! And I appreciate the real factor in sharing your hard day. Always good to keep it real. And that’s what I always say. Although I’m sure I sometimes push that envelope. LOL

  • Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama May 23, 2011, 2:05 pm

    I want to see Forks over Knives, too. Since it is largely based on The China Study, I’m sure they included tons of the research behind the big claims. 🙂 hope your Monday is getting better.

  • Ashley @ Thefitacademic May 23, 2011, 2:12 pm

    Sucks about the dentist! My hubbs is in the same boat (only worse)! He had an appointment last week to do 3 cavities on one side of his mouth & another appointment in a couple weeks to do 4 cavities on the other side of his mouth! Yikes!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) May 23, 2011, 2:21 pm

    Above and beyond everything here, I think that’s a crappy way to start your week! Sorry about the cavities. Hopefully your mouth will feel better quickly!

  • Megan May 23, 2011, 2:24 pm

    I loved food incorporated!
    And I have been a vegetarian for 4 years and had NO clue there was a national vegetarian week!
    You learn something new every day. 🙂

  • Chloe (South Beach Girl) May 23, 2011, 2:25 pm

    I’ve only had 1 cavity and HATED it, so I can definitely relate – I also am in bad need of a dentist appointment.
    Hopefully your bad mood improves, but sometimes we all just have those days, and it’s especially hard not to get into a funk after an amazing vacation!

  • Sarah @ The Pajama Chef May 23, 2011, 2:27 pm

    sorry about the dentist. 🙁 my husband desperately needs to go but he knows he has cavities so he doesn’t want to. i’m dreading the day that he does go…that will not be fun.

  • Paige @Running Around Normal May 23, 2011, 2:36 pm

    Boo to the cavities. I need a filling myself I’m sure! And did you self-time that dentist chair pic? 😛

    • Caitlin May 24, 2011, 11:10 am

      Obviously, I am so awkward. LOL

  • Nikki May 23, 2011, 2:36 pm

    I was able to see the Forks Over Knives private screening in December (the “unfinished” production – not all the sound was edited properly, etc.) and stay for a Q&A session with people behind the film. I DEFINITELY recommend seeing it! I felt like it was factually and scientifically based, and provided a great argument for individuals not interested in the morality of meat.

    • Nikki May 23, 2011, 2:40 pm

      Although I do want to add that some (not all, and not half) of the facts presented in the movie have been refuted by other scientists. Some of this was simply because the research was old and we have learned more about nutrition, and not because of shoddy lab work (some of the comparisons between animal and plant protein have been done much more thoroughly with more modern technology). I work in neuroscience research for the National Institutes of Health, and I suggest everyone read the actual peer-reviewed literature referenced.

      • Food Babe May 24, 2011, 8:36 am

        Great information – I plan to read more!

  • Cait @ Beyond Bananas May 23, 2011, 2:37 pm

    A TV above your dentist chair? Seriously.. I think your dentist is going to have to give my dentist a call.. and give him a few tips on how to improve his dental office!

    I go to the dentist every 6 m onths.. but it doesn’t matter. I have soft teeth with deep groves.. and even though I brush 3 times a day.. and floss daily.. I usually walk out with a cavity. No fun! I feel your pain and hope tomorrow is a better day!!

  • Danielle May 23, 2011, 2:44 pm

    I am so excited to go see that movie. Thanks for sharing!!

  • Cindy Robinson May 23, 2011, 2:49 pm

    Good for you for keepin’ it real! I try very hard to stay upbeat, positive, and feel like I’m faling sometimes when I say negative things. But we all need those days to just say a curse word really loud and say “that’s how I’m feelin’ today!” 🙂

    • Caitlin May 24, 2011, 11:08 am

      Hahah sometimes, you have to embrace the rottenness.

  • Lauren May 23, 2011, 2:51 pm

    Wow, I didn’t realize it was veggie week! I can’t wait to celebrate & cook veggie meals for all my meat eating friends.

  • Charlie May 23, 2011, 3:03 pm

    I do believe that a plant-based diet has many health benefits but I think America’s obesity crisis has more to do with junk food than meat. Still, junk vegetarian food is harder to find :P.

  • Bambi May 23, 2011, 3:03 pm

    As I was reading about National Vegetarian Week I realized that I’ve eaten meat free so far today. I was going to plan my meals for the week this evening and I think I’ll try to make most of the dishes vegetarian. It will be a good chance to try some new fun dishes.

  • Lucy @ The Sweet Touch May 23, 2011, 3:24 pm

    Hi Caitlin! I hope you are feeling better soon. Maybe you should look at some pics from your vacation – I think that would cheer me up:) I always get a post vacay let down and my hubs tells me, if everyday was a vacation then it wouldn’t be special, he’s so smart, lol!

  • Sable@SquatLikeALady May 23, 2011, 3:25 pm

    Ugh I hate dentist trips =( Nothing wrong with having a cranky day. We all have them!! =) Tomorrow’s a new and dentist-free day.

    I want to see Forks Over Knives but I am a little skeptical. I’m a ovo-pescetarian and as much as I wanted to love The China Study, there were a lot of flaws in the research that really disappointed me.

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss May 23, 2011, 3:26 pm

    I’ve had SO much work done to my mouth. Tons of fillings, crowns, root canals…
    Kind of frustrating considering I take really, really good care of my teeth, too. My mom claims it must just be in the genetics, who knows. Anyway, the numbness NEVER got any better. I was able to deal with it better (as in, not losing all my food from the corner of my mouth) but it was still down right annoying.

    • Caitlin May 24, 2011, 11:08 am

      The numbness from the procedures never went away? That is super scary.

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey May 23, 2011, 3:36 pm

    I hate getting fillings! Mainly because I’ve accidentally gnawed the inside of my cheek until it was raw because my mouth was numb! Ouch!

  • Colleen May 23, 2011, 3:54 pm

    Lots of great info in this post! Hope your day turns around, Caitlin–I have a feeling it will! Good for you to grin and bear it (pun intended). 🙂

  • Whitney B. May 23, 2011, 4:36 pm

    So sorry to hear you’re having a rough day. I was feeling down a few days ago, and this video was exactly what I needed. Hope it brings a smile to your face, too! 🙂

    http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6505997/russian-news-anchor-cant-stop-laughing-about-bears-guarding-marijuana

    • Jen May 23, 2011, 8:25 pm

      I just watched this & it definitely gave ME a laugh, so thanks! 🙂

  • Melanie @ Trial By Trail May 23, 2011, 4:59 pm

    I go through the same ups and downs when I come back from a vacation. You no longer have a vacation in the near future to look forward to, you have more laundry and other chores to do than usual and it totally affects your mood! It’s tough getting back into the swing of things again.

    I’m going to the dentist tomorrow and I’m definitely not excited about it. Hope I don’t have any cavities but I have a feeling I do.

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit May 23, 2011, 5:03 pm

    Ooh I cannot wait to see that movie. I’m getting more and more interested in becoming a vegetarian or vegan.

  • Rachel @ The Perseverance Diaries May 23, 2011, 5:48 pm

    I saw Forks over Knives last week! I highly recommend it for anyone interested in learning more about the power of nutrition. It was very inspiring and I like that the movie got the point across without sensationalizing it with sad images of factory farming animals. It just gives you the straight up information without scaring or intimidating the viewer. The entire movie doesn’t even mention the word “vegan” just “plant based diet” which I think is great because some people may get scared off. I liked Food Inc. better, it was more entertaining. However, Forks over Knives is very informative.

  • Michelle (The Runner's Plate) May 23, 2011, 6:11 pm

    Your dentist has TVs to watch?!?! That’s amazing!!

    I once had to get 3 cavities filled, but I think the dentist was taking advantage of me because I had been going every 6 months, went to this new dentist, and all of a sudden I had 3 cavities. Oh, he also said I needed a root canal (not true!). You can bet I never went back to him!

    • Food Babe May 24, 2011, 8:37 am

      My Dentist does too! Dr. Rossitch!

  • maria @ Chasing the Now May 23, 2011, 6:29 pm

    I HATE THE DENTIST! I totally feel you on this one. I’ve been slowly having my old fillings replaced (it was needed) and it’s miserable to even think about!

  • Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good May 23, 2011, 6:49 pm

    I’ll be seeing the dentist tomorrow. Good times.

    I will have to check back to see if any showtimes have been added, but when I checked before, FOK was only playing in Mpls last weekend. I was out of town for the Fargo Marathon. Bad timing! I want to see it!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) May 23, 2011, 7:00 pm

    ugh dentists – glad to hear that it wasnt TOO bad

  • Amy @ Love4Living May 23, 2011, 7:09 pm

    Every time I see your posts about the dentist I make a mental note to make an appointment.. problem is I never do! 2 reasons: I am SO SCARED of the dentist and I don’t have dental insurance and its ridic how expensive it is!

    • Caitlin May 24, 2011, 11:05 am

      Yup I paid out of pocket, too. But getting cavities filled is cheaper than a root canal!

  • Christine May 23, 2011, 7:12 pm

    You’d think by now, in 2011, they could coat your teeth with a protective varnish that would keep them perfect for your whole life (none of this childhood temporary sealant crap).

    Oh, and I read your post on the TV diet- I gave up regularly watching shows a year or two ago and I don’t miss it at all. I do watch things occasionally, but between shows and movies probably less than 8 or 10 hours a week. Cuts down on the electric bill too 🙂

    • Caitlin May 24, 2011, 11:02 am

      Yea but then the dentists wouldn’t make any $$$ LOL

  • Erin @ small things May 23, 2011, 7:23 pm

    I recently did my own little review of “Forks over Knives” and realized that I have seen possibly TOO MANY of these types of movies. I am always intrigued, then confused, then hungry afterwards.
    here’s a linky-link. there’s tons of video trailers in it!
    http://juniperandsage.typepad.com/smallthings/2011/05/lots-and-lots-and-lots-of-trailersand-also-james-frey.html

    • Caitlin May 24, 2011, 11:02 am

      Great review!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin May 23, 2011, 8:03 pm

    I didn’t know it was National Vegetarian Week! Darn, I already messed up by having a turkey sandwich for lunch today. 😛

    I hope your day gets better! Treat yourself to some ice cream. Ice cream always helps!

  • Julie @ Wearing Mascara May 23, 2011, 8:53 pm

    Ha – I love my dentist because of the TV! During my last visit, I watched the Today Show. 🙂

  • Ali @ Around the VeggieTable May 23, 2011, 9:01 pm

    Girlfriend, we are in the exact same boat! I was scheduled for a root canal today that went horribly wrong and now I have to go back tomorrow to get the whole darn tooth extracted 🙁 Thank goodness it’s in the back! I was in no mood to pretend to be chipper and fully admit that I sobbed the entire way home. It can only go up from here though, right? 🙂

    • Naomi May 24, 2011, 2:02 am

      Oh you poor thing 🙁

    • Caitlin May 24, 2011, 11:01 am

      Tooth huggies for you!

  • Katherine May 23, 2011, 9:02 pm

    Yummy looking soup!

  • caitlin May 23, 2011, 9:54 pm

    Do you consider fish vegetarian diet? Or do you still eat fish?

    • Caitlin May 24, 2011, 10:58 am

      No, fish is not part of a vegetarian diet… It has a face 🙂

  • CH May 23, 2011, 11:01 pm

    Ooof — you just reminded me that I really really really need to get to the dentist. I don’t think I have been there in like two years. I’m kind of dreading it….

    • Caitlin May 24, 2011, 10:58 am

      Do it now!

  • Khushboo May 24, 2011, 1:00 am

    Bah the dentist is my worst nightmare! I agree on the vegetarian front- Even though I am not one myself, a lot of meals are vegetarian. I hate the notion that a vegetarian diet implies lack of protein or boring/not tasty!

  • Alicia May 24, 2011, 9:52 am

    I decided to turn this week into “Hug a Vegetarian Week”. Many people were excited to see that they would be receiving hugs 🙂

    • Caitlin May 24, 2011, 10:56 am

      Hahah I want a hug!

  • Amber K May 24, 2011, 10:34 am

    So sorry you had a rough day! I spent most of mine attempting to convince my veins to be cooperative for a blood draw. The giant bruise on my arm proves I was unsuccessful!

  • Kristin November 27, 2011, 6:10 pm

    I’m going to watch this tonight! 🙂 have you watched “King Corn..You Are What You Eat?” yet?

Previous post:

Next post:

Healthy Tipping Point