19

Today, I turned 19.

When I was younger, birthdays were always so exciting and something to look forward to. The cakes were the best bit: my mum could craft cakes into any animal/vehicle/general polygon and decorate them with an assortment of teeth-rotting sweets and treats. But then I got "too old" for such luxuries and each birthday arrived with an increasing unwillingness to grow-up. My mum began baking more classic recipes for our celebrations. Whilst these cakes were still amazingly delicious, and I am so grateful for all the baked goods my mum graces me with, they lack the excitement a good lorry cake had (the wheels were made from chocolate teacakes, and the back of the truck was filled with Smarties and Maltesers. If the sound of that doesn't excite you, you're just in denial).

And today, my 19th birthday, my mum made a wonderful coffee and walnut layer cake with a sumptuous espresso buttercream. But I can't have a slice. Well, I can, but I won't.

A few weeks ago, I was going to the gym most days a week and working hard to try and lose some weight before returning to university come September. Whilst my motivation was high, my energy was low. I would have to take afternoon naps (typical student, eh?) in order to feel refreshed for the next day of exercise. I was eating a balanced diet, getting animal protein for my muscle recovery, but it didn't feel like my body was receiving enough nourishment. Then I read Ella Woodward's (of Deliciously Ella) story of how her diet change basically saved her life. I know being a little sleepy is hardly life-threatening, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to try her alternative diet.

Within days of making the switch to a plant-based, natural diet, I was feeling more energised. More nourished. I could work out for longer and not feel so exhausted afterwards. I didn't need coffee, or afternoon naps, or even lie-ins. Based on these responses, it was obvious my body was telling me something; encouraging me to stick with the new diet. I've been dairy-free, meat-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free for a few weeks now and I've never felt better in my body. So, I thought I might share my experience in the hope others might be convinced that whilst all this dairy-meat-gluten-and-refined sugar-free-ness sounds absolutely taste-and-happy-free, it's actually quite the opposite.

And that's why I'm quite happy to not have a slice of my own birthday cake this year. This is the biggest present I can give to myself. Health and happiness are all I want. Sure, cake can bring you happiness (particularly if it's a lorry cake), but it's somewhat lacking on the health front. Maybe by this time next year I'll have perfected the recipe for a healthy lorry cake, piled high with delicious and nourishing ingredients. I'll keep you informed on my progress.

P