Yeah, so I've completely given up being vegan. I don't have the kind of willpower that Samm does. I can't help it - I LOVE dairy, and I LOVE meat. I'm still trying to incorporate a lot more fruits and veggies into my diet, but it's tough - I just don't like cooking if I'm not sure what the outcome is going to be. I am so busy, so I hate wasting time on a meal that I don't want to eat! I do love making salads, but I also feel like I'm adding a lot of fat with the dressing.
Plus, my husband broke our food processor a few months ago, and I have yet to go out and get a new one. Once I do, however, I plan on trying to recreate the avocado dressing that Borrowed Earth Cafe puts on their salads. Now that it's starting to warm up, I think it will be much easier to eat a lot of salads and fruit compotes and things like that. During the winter I just want warm soup, and thick bread.
I did stick with the 21 days, though, and that's what I set out to do. I also know how to make cheeseless recipes for my lactose-intolerant husband. And, we only drink rice milk or almond milk now instead of lactose-free milk (him) or skim milk (me). I have so much respect for Samm for continuing with her vegan diet. It's so tough!
Namarie!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Still Chugging Along, Partly Vegan
Well, I'm still trying to be vegan on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and vegetarian on Tuesdays (my husband is at Game Night and he's lactose intolerant, so it's the only day I can have dairy for dinner). Last night we had sushi for dinner, and I found that I really preferred the meatless sushi. That's not a big deal, as I'm not a huge sushi fan, but then tonight we had dinner at a friend's house. She made the most delicious pasta with veggies and chicken. This was the first time since 2010 that I've had chicken, and it was so good, but I was more impressed with the flavor of the veggies. I will definitely be making that recipe.
So I kind of feel like I'm settling in to this whole partial vegan lifestyle. I no longer feel like I'm depriving myself of tasty food - I think by allowing myself meat on the weekends, I'm able to stick to the vegan diet on weekdays. In addition, I no longer fantasize about eating meat. I could probably go vegetarian on the weekends and be perfectly happy (sorry, I cannot completely cut out dairy!)
We've become a rice milk and almond milk household, using white rice milk in lieu of regular milk, and drinking chocolate almond milk as a recovery drink after runs. I've discovered that plain almond milk has a funny taste, and chocolate rice milk separates funny. Neither heats up very well (rice milk separates, the almond milk develops a strong taste).
My weight is hovering closer to where it was after the three weeks of being a strict vegan, so that's good.
I have yet to incorporate the Thrive Diet into my diet, mainly because I really struggled with the raw food diet. It's so much work, and I am an incredibly busy person, so it's just not a practical diet for me. I am still interested in making my own nutrition bars, though.
So now the big question is: What the heck am I going to do with all this crazy stuff that I bought at Whole Foods? I guess I'll have to try to incorporate it into my diet until it's gone.
Namarie!
So I kind of feel like I'm settling in to this whole partial vegan lifestyle. I no longer feel like I'm depriving myself of tasty food - I think by allowing myself meat on the weekends, I'm able to stick to the vegan diet on weekdays. In addition, I no longer fantasize about eating meat. I could probably go vegetarian on the weekends and be perfectly happy (sorry, I cannot completely cut out dairy!)
We've become a rice milk and almond milk household, using white rice milk in lieu of regular milk, and drinking chocolate almond milk as a recovery drink after runs. I've discovered that plain almond milk has a funny taste, and chocolate rice milk separates funny. Neither heats up very well (rice milk separates, the almond milk develops a strong taste).
My weight is hovering closer to where it was after the three weeks of being a strict vegan, so that's good.
I have yet to incorporate the Thrive Diet into my diet, mainly because I really struggled with the raw food diet. It's so much work, and I am an incredibly busy person, so it's just not a practical diet for me. I am still interested in making my own nutrition bars, though.
So now the big question is: What the heck am I going to do with all this crazy stuff that I bought at Whole Foods? I guess I'll have to try to incorporate it into my diet until it's gone.
Namarie!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Vegan Pizza from Papa John's!
My husband had a hankering for pizza the other night and while it was tempting to jump off the vegan bandwagon to join in the cheesy goodness, the more I thought about it the more guilty I felt. Luckily Papa John's came to the rescue!
While my husband ordered a small pizza with every meat known to man on it, I ordered a small "vegan" pizza. What's that? Why it's delicious that's what it is!
Papa John's is great because online they give you the option to control EVERYTHING that goes on to your pizza. I picked a small pizza, easy on the sauce (they always put too much on at our store) with onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and black olives. I was dubious that it wouldn't be very good.
Boy was I wrong! Don't knock it until you've tried it cheese lovers! I may have made nummy noises when I took the first bite. Unlike pizza loaded down with cheese I could actually TASTE all of the flavors of the pizza. It was excellent and I didn't miss the cheese at all!
So why did I call it "vegan" pizza? While the dough Papa John's uses doesn't contain eggs or milk, their website claims that there may be "animal enzymes" in the yeast. Knowing that yeast is really a fungus I kind of find this hard to believe, but if you're a vegan that's concerned with things like this it would probably be best to avoid Papa John's.
Papa John's "vegan" pizza gets two thumbs up from me!
While my husband ordered a small pizza with every meat known to man on it, I ordered a small "vegan" pizza. What's that? Why it's delicious that's what it is!
Papa John's is great because online they give you the option to control EVERYTHING that goes on to your pizza. I picked a small pizza, easy on the sauce (they always put too much on at our store) with onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and black olives. I was dubious that it wouldn't be very good.
Boy was I wrong! Don't knock it until you've tried it cheese lovers! I may have made nummy noises when I took the first bite. Unlike pizza loaded down with cheese I could actually TASTE all of the flavors of the pizza. It was excellent and I didn't miss the cheese at all!
So why did I call it "vegan" pizza? While the dough Papa John's uses doesn't contain eggs or milk, their website claims that there may be "animal enzymes" in the yeast. Knowing that yeast is really a fungus I kind of find this hard to believe, but if you're a vegan that's concerned with things like this it would probably be best to avoid Papa John's.
Papa John's "vegan" pizza gets two thumbs up from me!
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
My mom always brings me her old issues of Woman's World magazine when she comes to visit. I like the magazine for the recipes mostly. Every now and then there's a really great one.
Here's one they had for spaghetti sauce. I'm posting it here with the tweeks I made. It's positively addicting!
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
1 can diced tomatoes (any kind even with onions or seasoning)
1 medium onion
3-4 stalks of celery (leaves included)
1-2 large carrots (depending on the size)
1/4 cup EV olive or canola oil
1-2 cups fresh spinach
1-2 tbsp fresh garlic
salt/pepper to taste
Chop onion, celery (with leaves) and carrots into medium sized pieces.
Heat oil in a pan and saute onion, celery and carrots for 15 minutes, or until onions are transparent.
Add tomatoes, salt and pepper.
Simmer on low for 25 - 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5 minutes before done, add spinach and garlic, stir.
Toss with 1 lb brown rice pasta or other pasta.
Approximately 6 servings.
Here's one they had for spaghetti sauce. I'm posting it here with the tweeks I made. It's positively addicting!
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
1 can diced tomatoes (any kind even with onions or seasoning)
1 medium onion
3-4 stalks of celery (leaves included)
1-2 large carrots (depending on the size)
1/4 cup EV olive or canola oil
1-2 cups fresh spinach
1-2 tbsp fresh garlic
salt/pepper to taste
Chop onion, celery (with leaves) and carrots into medium sized pieces.
Heat oil in a pan and saute onion, celery and carrots for 15 minutes, or until onions are transparent.
Add tomatoes, salt and pepper.
Simmer on low for 25 - 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5 minutes before done, add spinach and garlic, stir.
Toss with 1 lb brown rice pasta or other pasta.
Approximately 6 servings.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The most awesome apple pie
We made raw apple pie the other night - it is SOOOOO good!
We heated up the apple pie in a 350 oven until it was heated through.
Namarie!
Apple Pie
Crust
1 cup raw walnuts
1 tsp vanilla flavor
½ cup pitted dates
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
Filling
6 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced Six was too many, but we just put the extra apple and filling in individual bowls and heated them up later
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup pitted dates
½ cup raw agave nectar
1/8 tsp salt
For the crust: Place the walnuts, vanilla flavor, dates, cinnamon, and salt in a food processor. Process until the mixture holds together and forms a dough. Press into a 9-inch pan to form a crust.
For the filling: Place the apples in a large bowl. Sprinkle with the lemon juice and 1 tsp of the cinnamon, toss until evenly coated. Place the dates, nectar, remaining cinnamon, and salt in a blender. Add a very small amount of water, just enough to facilitate blending, and process until smooth. Add to the apples, and toss until evenly distributed. Spoon into the crust.
We heated up the apple pie in a 350 oven until it was heated through.
Namarie!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The End is Near
There are only a few days left to my vegan diet. Lynette successfully made it the 21 days she set out to do and I'm so proud of her for making it. I really couldn't have done this without her support and encouragement. It would have been a really tough thing to go it alone.
Like Lynette, I plan on sticking with a vegan diet. I like to call it being a "Level 1 vegan." Not the 5 vegan, "I don't eat anything that casts a shadow," like the famous quote from The Simpsons. What would I define Level 1 as? I won't eat any meat, dairy or eggs and I won't eat anything that contains an obvious animal byproduct. I'm also going to continue to eliminate fast food and reduce my intake of processed food and refined sugar. What I'm not going to do is carry the dictionary-sized list of food additives and preservatives that may at some point have either harmed or come into contact with an animal, with me to the grocery store. For those people that are that committed, I have complete respect for you. That has to be hard.
My husband and I, after the 21 day mark, almost broke down and ordered a pizza. But I admit the guilt I felt just thinking about it outweighed my craving for the pizza. I'm not talking about guilt for eating the cheese and whatever other animal byproducts are on the pizza, but guilt for giving up and not lasting the full month. I'm glad that we decided against it.
That's one thing I think I've gained that I'm really happy for. Will power! Before this year I probably would have given in and ordered that pizza. I always had the "I'll get back on the wagon tomorrow," mentality and we all know how well that works! Now that I've been forced to really focus and pay attention to what I put into my body for the past month I've found that my will power is stronger than it's ever been. I'm not a slave to my cravings anymore!
Now that I'm coming to the "end" of my official run as a vegan, there are things I've gained and loved about the diet, things I've hated and things that I anticipate to be hard in the future.
The Positives
* Will Power! I have it now!
* I lost approximately 5 pounds by changing nothing but my diet (I also ride 3-5 days a week)
* A turn off to fast food. I don't crave it anymore
* Very little desire for meat. The smell actually makes me sick to my stomach, but I think this is more due to my husband's meat-heavy diet than being vegan.
* I feel better! I had a cold and it lasted only two days instead of a full blown week.
* I have more energy to get out and do things.
* I have a more adventurous spirit. I want to get out and try things I've never done before or was too scared to do!
* I don't feel like a slave to my appetite. I eat when I'm hungry not when I'm bored now.
* No more random cravings for food because I see it on TV.
The Negatives
* I miss the convenience of fast food
* I miss cheese, even though I don't want to eat it really. I just want a bite or taste of it.
* It was really expensive at first and our grocery bill is still going to be a little higher each month because of my diet. It won't be as expensive as it was at the start of the month now that I have all of the basics.
* I still find that I get into the same occasional rut that I used to where I'm hungry but no food sounds appealing. Though this seems to happen less often now.
* More dishes in the sink! This is because I'm cooking more.
Concerns for the Future
* I'm afraid of social situations, like my sister-in-law's upcoming wedding. Her menu is salmon and steak and I'm sure the sides are something like mashed potatoes and veggies covered in butter (or something similar), ie: a non-vegan friendly meal. I don't want to be pushy or rude and demand a vegan meal, since there's already no choice of dish. At the same time, I know I'm going to be hungry by the time dinner rolls around and I'll have to eat. If I eat whatever isn't meat, are certain members of our family (who I'm sure by then will be informed I'm a vegan, which is fine) going to make some "I thought you were vegan?" comments? If that's the first time in 5 months I've eaten dairy or meat will I get sick?
* If I eat meat or dairy (I plan to stay away from eggs) how sick will I get?
* If I travel will it be hard to find food I can eat?
I'm sure every vegan faces these challenges and they're nothing new. I just have to stay strong and keep telling myself that if other people can do it, I can too.
I still believe that ultimately you should chose your diet based on what's right for you. If you want to become a vegan because you're against factory farms and the meat industry, that's fine. If you're doing it because you want to do your part, however small it may be, to help the environment, that's fine too. If you want to be a vegan just to see if you can do it or so that you'll be healthier, that's also fine. One of the major things I've learned is that your success or failure at being a vegan has NOTHING to do with your reason for becoming a vegan. It has to do with you and what's right for you. You can be a vegan and not be morally opposed to meat or animal products. That's okay. You can be a raw vegan and avoid even those crazy chemicals that may have at one time touched an animal, that's okay too! If it's right for you and you do so that you're certain you're getting all of the vitamins, etc. your body needs to survive, that's all that matters.
Samm's Quick Vegan Burrito
I made up this little recipe this week. It's a great source of protein, quick to make, flavorful and really filling! It's a healthier alternative to Taco Bell and frozen burritos.
1 package of whole wheat tortillas
1 can pinto beans or black beans (mixing two cans works too) drained 3/4 of the way
spanish rice, either homemade or boxed (make sure to check the ingredients!)
Put the beans into the food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.
Put approximately 2 tbsp of the beans onto the tortilla and spread it out so it almost reaches the ends.
Put about 1/4 cup of spanish rice (or less depending on the size of your tortilla) on top of the beans, but in a line down the middle of the tortilla. Do not spread out.
Fold up all four corners of the tortilla and then roll. Hold in place with a toothpick.
Enjoy!
Like Lynette, I plan on sticking with a vegan diet. I like to call it being a "Level 1 vegan." Not the 5 vegan, "I don't eat anything that casts a shadow," like the famous quote from The Simpsons. What would I define Level 1 as? I won't eat any meat, dairy or eggs and I won't eat anything that contains an obvious animal byproduct. I'm also going to continue to eliminate fast food and reduce my intake of processed food and refined sugar. What I'm not going to do is carry the dictionary-sized list of food additives and preservatives that may at some point have either harmed or come into contact with an animal, with me to the grocery store. For those people that are that committed, I have complete respect for you. That has to be hard.
My husband and I, after the 21 day mark, almost broke down and ordered a pizza. But I admit the guilt I felt just thinking about it outweighed my craving for the pizza. I'm not talking about guilt for eating the cheese and whatever other animal byproducts are on the pizza, but guilt for giving up and not lasting the full month. I'm glad that we decided against it.
That's one thing I think I've gained that I'm really happy for. Will power! Before this year I probably would have given in and ordered that pizza. I always had the "I'll get back on the wagon tomorrow," mentality and we all know how well that works! Now that I've been forced to really focus and pay attention to what I put into my body for the past month I've found that my will power is stronger than it's ever been. I'm not a slave to my cravings anymore!
Now that I'm coming to the "end" of my official run as a vegan, there are things I've gained and loved about the diet, things I've hated and things that I anticipate to be hard in the future.
The Positives
* Will Power! I have it now!
* I lost approximately 5 pounds by changing nothing but my diet (I also ride 3-5 days a week)
* A turn off to fast food. I don't crave it anymore
* Very little desire for meat. The smell actually makes me sick to my stomach, but I think this is more due to my husband's meat-heavy diet than being vegan.
* I feel better! I had a cold and it lasted only two days instead of a full blown week.
* I have more energy to get out and do things.
* I have a more adventurous spirit. I want to get out and try things I've never done before or was too scared to do!
* I don't feel like a slave to my appetite. I eat when I'm hungry not when I'm bored now.
* No more random cravings for food because I see it on TV.
The Negatives
* I miss the convenience of fast food
* I miss cheese, even though I don't want to eat it really. I just want a bite or taste of it.
* It was really expensive at first and our grocery bill is still going to be a little higher each month because of my diet. It won't be as expensive as it was at the start of the month now that I have all of the basics.
* I still find that I get into the same occasional rut that I used to where I'm hungry but no food sounds appealing. Though this seems to happen less often now.
* More dishes in the sink! This is because I'm cooking more.
Concerns for the Future
* I'm afraid of social situations, like my sister-in-law's upcoming wedding. Her menu is salmon and steak and I'm sure the sides are something like mashed potatoes and veggies covered in butter (or something similar), ie: a non-vegan friendly meal. I don't want to be pushy or rude and demand a vegan meal, since there's already no choice of dish. At the same time, I know I'm going to be hungry by the time dinner rolls around and I'll have to eat. If I eat whatever isn't meat, are certain members of our family (who I'm sure by then will be informed I'm a vegan, which is fine) going to make some "I thought you were vegan?" comments? If that's the first time in 5 months I've eaten dairy or meat will I get sick?
* If I eat meat or dairy (I plan to stay away from eggs) how sick will I get?
* If I travel will it be hard to find food I can eat?
I'm sure every vegan faces these challenges and they're nothing new. I just have to stay strong and keep telling myself that if other people can do it, I can too.
I still believe that ultimately you should chose your diet based on what's right for you. If you want to become a vegan because you're against factory farms and the meat industry, that's fine. If you're doing it because you want to do your part, however small it may be, to help the environment, that's fine too. If you want to be a vegan just to see if you can do it or so that you'll be healthier, that's also fine. One of the major things I've learned is that your success or failure at being a vegan has NOTHING to do with your reason for becoming a vegan. It has to do with you and what's right for you. You can be a vegan and not be morally opposed to meat or animal products. That's okay. You can be a raw vegan and avoid even those crazy chemicals that may have at one time touched an animal, that's okay too! If it's right for you and you do so that you're certain you're getting all of the vitamins, etc. your body needs to survive, that's all that matters.
Samm's Quick Vegan Burrito
I made up this little recipe this week. It's a great source of protein, quick to make, flavorful and really filling! It's a healthier alternative to Taco Bell and frozen burritos.
1 package of whole wheat tortillas
1 can pinto beans or black beans (mixing two cans works too) drained 3/4 of the way
spanish rice, either homemade or boxed (make sure to check the ingredients!)
Put the beans into the food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.
Put approximately 2 tbsp of the beans onto the tortilla and spread it out so it almost reaches the ends.
Put about 1/4 cup of spanish rice (or less depending on the size of your tortilla) on top of the beans, but in a line down the middle of the tortilla. Do not spread out.
Fold up all four corners of the tortilla and then roll. Hold in place with a toothpick.
Enjoy!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Christmas Eve
Wow, I feel like tonight is Christmas Eve. I want to go to bed NOW so that when I wake up, I can eat meat again! I may even skip my run - heck, I haven't run on a Saturday morning for a few weeks now, why break the cycle? I am very excited. I know that I have to take it slow so I don't end up making myself sick, but I'm still really looking forward to this.
It's not so much that I miss meat or dairy. It really is just simpler. I've obsessed about my meals for the last three weeks, it will be nice not to have to read every ingredient in what little prepackaged food I've eaten to make sure there are no traces of milk. No driving ALLLLLL the way to Whole Foods because I am missing one key ingredient of a recipe. I'll have a bit more freedom now. Even though I'm going to try to stick with being vegan four days a week, if something comes up, if my original plan for dinner somehow gets messed up, I have the option to eat a meat or dairy product.
I feel like I've whined a lot since the beginning, but I'll outline some really positive things now.
- I am content with my decision to have the freedom to NOT be a vegan on the weekends. I think it will make things easier. Also, I think the fact that I want to stick with this diet even part time says a lot.
- I really like how I'm feeling. I'm sure it's a combination of the diet and the fact that I'm back into a regular workout schedule now.
- I have found some recipes I really like.
- Drinking rice milk or almond milk will make things easier for my family, since Matt is lactose intolerant. We have been buying regular milk and lactose-free milk up until this point.
- I feel like this challenge has helped me grow. At times, I really struggled with willpower. But, as time went on, it felt easier to get through cravings and temptations. I know it's only been three weeks, but it does feel like a LOT longer!
- I've always been a picky eater. Being forced to eat things I've never eaten before, or things I don't like, has made me more willing to try new foods.
- I'm proud that I started so hard-core with the raw diet, but at the same time, I'm glad that I cut back on the raw diet after the first week. I feel much happier and fuller, but I will still incorporate some raw food recipes in my diet. I really like the chocolate avocado dessert.
- I've lost FIVE pounds and 1.5 inches from my waist since January 1. Woot!
This whole experiment really was a personal challenge for me. I am glad that I proved to myself that I could stay 100% dedicated to something for three weeks, that I never cheated. I wish I hadn't felt so whiny about it all, but it was a pretty extreme diet to embrace all at once. And I am very proud that I stuck with it even when I was so miserable. Sometimes I surprise myself at how dedicated I can be when I make up my mind.
I added pictures to the previous post to illustrate the mushrooms, so if you want to try out that recipe, make sure you check it out.
I hope you've enjoyed reading my posts. I'm sure I'll continue to update as I find new recipes.
Namarie!
It's not so much that I miss meat or dairy. It really is just simpler. I've obsessed about my meals for the last three weeks, it will be nice not to have to read every ingredient in what little prepackaged food I've eaten to make sure there are no traces of milk. No driving ALLLLLL the way to Whole Foods because I am missing one key ingredient of a recipe. I'll have a bit more freedom now. Even though I'm going to try to stick with being vegan four days a week, if something comes up, if my original plan for dinner somehow gets messed up, I have the option to eat a meat or dairy product.
I feel like I've whined a lot since the beginning, but I'll outline some really positive things now.
- I am content with my decision to have the freedom to NOT be a vegan on the weekends. I think it will make things easier. Also, I think the fact that I want to stick with this diet even part time says a lot.
- I really like how I'm feeling. I'm sure it's a combination of the diet and the fact that I'm back into a regular workout schedule now.
- I have found some recipes I really like.
- Drinking rice milk or almond milk will make things easier for my family, since Matt is lactose intolerant. We have been buying regular milk and lactose-free milk up until this point.
- I feel like this challenge has helped me grow. At times, I really struggled with willpower. But, as time went on, it felt easier to get through cravings and temptations. I know it's only been three weeks, but it does feel like a LOT longer!
- I've always been a picky eater. Being forced to eat things I've never eaten before, or things I don't like, has made me more willing to try new foods.
- I'm proud that I started so hard-core with the raw diet, but at the same time, I'm glad that I cut back on the raw diet after the first week. I feel much happier and fuller, but I will still incorporate some raw food recipes in my diet. I really like the chocolate avocado dessert.
- I've lost FIVE pounds and 1.5 inches from my waist since January 1. Woot!
This whole experiment really was a personal challenge for me. I am glad that I proved to myself that I could stay 100% dedicated to something for three weeks, that I never cheated. I wish I hadn't felt so whiny about it all, but it was a pretty extreme diet to embrace all at once. And I am very proud that I stuck with it even when I was so miserable. Sometimes I surprise myself at how dedicated I can be when I make up my mind.
I added pictures to the previous post to illustrate the mushrooms, so if you want to try out that recipe, make sure you check it out.
I hope you've enjoyed reading my posts. I'm sure I'll continue to update as I find new recipes.
Namarie!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)