Somehow today I had to find the motivation to put in a full day’s work. The fact that I had no choice, because certain things have to be done, and some of them had to be done today, helped me find that motivation. Once I get started, my biggest problem is maintaining momentum. I only have to stop for a minute to lose an hour. Sometimes I can lose a whole day that way, but I couldn’t let that happen today.

And so we’re back to the well-known love/hate relationship I have with deadlines. I love them because I fear them, and the fact that I fear them makes it possible for me to satisfy them. I feel sort of the same way about my job in general. I don’t hate it, and I don’t love it, but I love having it, and I like it well enough to want to do it well. Today was one of those days when I think I succeeded, possibly more in spite of myself than because of anything I brought to the table.

Today marks exactly three months that I’ve been on the E2 plant-based diet. That’s three months with no meat, eggs or dairy, and I feel better and stronger than I have in years. (And I have a lot of years to count backwards on.) I haven’t been tempted to backslide, not even once, and I’m eating more while losing a few pounds. The food is never boring, and when I want a snack I always have cut-up bell peppers, along with other fruits and veggies. One big surprise: My favorite dessert topping has turned out to be soy yogurt!