I already eat a mostly vegan diet, but I've often been curious as to how I would feel eating no animal products. Veganism has always made the most sense to me from both a health and ethical standpoint, and while at this point I'm not sure that I can commit to complete veganism indefinitely, I would like to test the waters a bit more in order to find out what I'm comfortable with. I'm a firm believer that each individual should choose the best dietary path for them- omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, vegan or anything else- and as such, I'm always open to trying new things with my diet.
One thing I'd like to emphasize is that I don't believe veganism is something to be taken lightly as a "quick fix" for health or weight problems- I'm doing this for me, as something I want to do out of both curiosity and more serious ethical and health reasons. I've given it a lot of thought! I realize that it can be a very difficult transition to make, which is why I'm only committing myself to a month. Furthermore, I don't plan on depriving myself of my favorite foods- while it may mean forgoing certain restaurant dishes, I know that nearly every food has a vegan alternative (as evidenced by Angela and Mama Pea), and I'm hoping that my cooking skills will also improve as I attempt to incorporate more variety and ingredients into my meals. At the end of 31 days, I'll evaluate my experience, and while it's unlikely that I'll ever give up shrimp and buttercream forever, I'm hoping to have a renewed perspective of strict veganism and its pros and cons.
I think that's it! Any questions? :)
* * *
Today's eats were rather repetitive...
Uncle Sam, blueberries and almond milk for breakfast
Salad beast, sandwich thin with almond butter and a grapefruit for lunch (love this lunch- last time for awhile, I promise!)
Romaine, pickles, cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, onions and hummus
Maranatha AB on an Arnold honey wheat thin
Pink grapefruit slices
I also finished my sesame covered peanuts- maybe 1.5 servings' worth?
Time to go bake a delicious (non-vegan) cake for a friend. He was born January 1- can you imagine a more fun birthday? Hope you're enjoying your last day of 2011!!
Have you ever experimented with a different way of eating? How did it go?
What are your plans for tonight?
37 comments:
I'm like you- I eat a mostly vegan diet, but otherwise vegetarian. At the moment though, I am also experimenting with total veganism! I've found that it's not much different diet-wise to what I ate before, as 95% of what I ate was vegan anyway, so you might find the same!
Tonight we are having all the family around for a big party to see in the New Year :)
Happy New Year Gabriela!
LOL at this post title!
I think experimenting with your diet is never a bad thing. As you know, I incorporated red meat into my diet a few months ago to see if it would help with some health problems. But at the end of the day, the most important thing is that we eat food that we enjoy and that makes us feel good. Good luck!
As for tonight, I'm going to relax with my friends!
i think thats great! I'm excited to see what you get up to in the kitchen and how it goes for you- im super intrigued about veganism too and in the future I think I will experiment more with it...I have cut out basically all meat except fish and very occasionally chicken since last year and that has gone super well for me.. i feel a lot btter in general and I have discovered so many new foods!
I'm psyched for your challenge! Obviously I'm biased, but I think you're doing the right thing by testing the water first before a proper commitment. Veganism IS hard, but if you can do - go you! I can't wait to see how you find it :) (and I hope I can say 'welcome to the dark side' in a month :p)
I've never felt better than I have since I made the switch to veganism. My husband is a die-hard carnivore who eats a lot of vegan meals (mostly without complaining), and he, too, has admitted that he has a lot more energy when he doesn't eat animal products. And, it's true--you can make just about any old favorite meal vegan nowdays. Have a Happy New Year! :-)
I've never done anything really experimental with my diet. Although I don't consume a lot of red meat, my parents wouldn't be happy if I gave up meat, because they believe in all eating the same thing as a family. Tonight I'm throwing a little get together with my girl friends and then we're going to a Girl Talk concert!! I've bought lots of champagne and baked some yummy appetizers for the occasion. So excited! Happy New Year's!
I think it's so neat you are testing the waters with different foods. You'll find eating a vegandiet isn't quite as difficult as you think. I kind o fhave to as I'm a vegetarian and lactose intolerant (with the exception of some greek yogurt which can be tolerated to some extent) and I love playing around with different recipes!
i would TOTALLY go vegan if I didn't love frozen yogurt so much. wishing you the best with your journey towards maintaining a lifestyle that's best fit for you!
wishing you a happy, healthy and safe new year!
--becca
I vowed to go vegetarian for the month of May and I wasn't really sure what to expect...BAM, all this time later and I'm happier than ever continuing it :) I'm interested to see how the month goes for you!
I wish i could go vegan! Im such a huge animal lover its so hard for me to eat meat. But I was veggitarian for 13+ years, and for my health and sanity i had to introduce fish back into my diet, then chicken!
I think there isnt any one way to name a diet, "no labels". To each ones own! Thats my motto
Good for you girl! I've always been curious to try veganism. Like you I don't eat many animal products (buttercream is a weakness) but it would be interesting to experiment with for a period of time!
That is great that you are going to test it out for a month. I've tried the no bread thing and did lose weight but was a cranky biatch haha. Tonight I am just going to a local bar. Don't like to go crazy and spend a million dollars on NYE. Happy New Year!
Good luck!!! That's so great that you're trying it! Check the menu for Farmacia...haha I think they'll definitely have vegan options for you, but if not we can definitely change.
Happy New Year's Eve!
I used to be on the vegan end of the scale but recently i've been eating more meat... yet I think I'd like to experiment with veganism!
I would love to experiment with veganism. I recently challenged myself to eat a vegetarian diet for a month. Coming from a heavy meat-eating family it was hard but worthwhile! Got me thinking now...might have to add to my resolutions!!
Very cool goals, the trying veganism is awesome.I have experimented with a different way of eating a lot, going high-raw is the biggest. I wasn't planning to go entirely meat-free when I started, but am loving that I did. We have very laid back plans tonight probably eating out and celebrating the new years at home.
What non-vegan things do you eat on a regular basis? I think it is a very difficult diet, especially for social situations or at restaurants. I also think the people around you make a difference as to how accommodating or accepting they are. None of those things work in my favor for adapting a vegetarian diet. Can't wait to see how it goes and what challenges you come across.
I have been a vegetarian for about 6 years and a vegan for over 2 years, and I found it to be an easy transition. Every one's body is different so it's a great idea to try it out and see how you feel. A well-planned vegan diet and a basic plant-based multi will cover all your nutritional needs. Good luck, can't wait to see how this experiment unfolds for you! Happy New Year!
That's an awesome idea! I've toyed with the idea of trying veganism for a month to see what sort of effects it has (mind and body)--yet I haven't put it into action quite yet!
I'm excited to see your meals and opinions over the next month! And with Mama Pea & Angela around, you know you'll have a lot of delicious recipe options! :)
I have been a lifelong vegetarian, and in the past 5 years or so, eat a 99% vegan diet. I do not stress if there is trace dairy in something. I think for me, that's not worth the mental beating up aspect. But that's a whole other topic.
I gave up gluten, soy, dairy, and was vegan for a few years. Currently I am GF, 99% vegan, and eat very little soy. I figured out my food allergies and that gluten, eggs and dairy are more of the culprits for me than soy. But it's all so complex.
Happy for you that you're doing this FOR YOU and not to be trendy or jump on the bandwagon. It's NOT an easy path every single day, well for me it's not. Here's to you having a great Jan and cant wait to see the followup in a month!
Good luck going vegan! I fully support your decision, but I think some people do it because they think it will make them healthier. Trust me, you can eat a vegan diet and be quite unhealthy. Like you said, it's not a quick fix.
I naturally cook with little meat in my dishes, but my parents love their red meat. When I go home, it allows me to explore different, meat-heavy recipes.
j'aime votre blog, cherie!
you are a french major and live in NYC, very nice!
I'm a French minor in NC, and am going to France next year! Have you been?
A beintot et bonne annee!
Congrats on your decision to experiment! I agree with everything you say about people choosing a diet that works for them. It seems lately that people are sometimes too focused on what people around them are eating and labeling themselves as.
2011 marks the beginning of my fourth year as a vegetarian and third as a vegan (or a plant-based eater?). I'm not extremely strict as I do eat honey, and I'm not about to beat myself up over accidentally consuming dairy or egg products.
Good luck :)!
you're so brave! haha i kid but i'm so excited for you! and i'm excited to see how it goes :) which means that when we have our date when you get back to ny that we'll have to go vegan wooo! :) happy new year girl!
I think it's great that you are doing what works best for your body! I don't really "label" my diet but I have been a vegetarian before for a year and I've been a vegan for a few months. Right now, I'm just lactose intolerant but that's pretty much all!
Happy new year girl!! :)
I went vegan for a little over a year, but I started eating dairy and eggs again this past April. I was going on a 10 day vacation to Panama and knew that I wouldn't have access to any other form of protein. It took me a while to get used to animal products again, but I am ultimately happy with the way I eat now. I can bake and cook completely vegan, but I can also eat organic dairy and eggs when my body just isn't satisfied with vegetables. It is completely healthy, doable, and enjoyable to be vegan, though, and I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor!
Going vegan for a month will be such a fun challenge. I'm sure it'll give you the chance to try out some awesome recipes!
I cut out red meat for most of 2010, but when I realized that I was just using it as another way to restrict myself, I started eating it again. Lately I've been really focusing on eating what I like, without any rules or restrictions.
I love having seen you eat that lunch so many days in a row. gotta go w/ what works, right?!
when i first became vegetarian it was certainly hard; i knew nothing about it and my mom actually made me sit at the table the second night after my decision to go veg and eat a chicken burger. didn't happen. but after researching and convincing her i could get the adequate nutrients i needed it got better and my mom was more accepting. now my mom actually cooks veg for my dad all the time cause he has crohn's and can't have red meat. they're practically vegetarians now too!
Happy new year beautiful!!!! Have a great time tonight!!!
I was a pescetarian for most of my junior year of college, but I had HUGE digestive issues when I stopped eating meat. I'm an omnivore again, but I still eat a ton of vegetarian meals.
After just a few weeks of being a vegetarian I dove headfirst into veganism from the get go, and it was fairly easy at first. I, like you, like to eat fairly whoelsome foods and make a lot myself, which makes things a lot easier! But as time progresses some difficulty is creeping in. No cravings at all, but things like arranged dinner parties or finding some trace of animal products in just about Every ingredient list, is getting pretty tiresome. I try my best but some things slip by and I'm pretty lenient about that, and I'll have to see how I want to handle things like that in the future. I look forward to seeing how you do on your adventure!
Love your view on veganism - or any diet, really!
You are going to do great being Vegan!! Just make sure you listen to your body, and do what is best for you!!! We eat mostly vegan, but do not call ourselves vegan for many reasons, but we support the lifestyle!!!
I think you will absolutely rock this challenge. What a fun - and potentially life-altering - way to start 2011. I think you'll find that it's surprisingly easy, especially since you already prepare many vegan meals. I find the biggest challenge is when eating out, but even that is manageable if you plan ahead a little and are super charming with the server. ;) Can't wait to hear how things go!
I love the laissez faire attitude. I can relate to your feelings about veganism....recently went there for "a few days" wich turned into 2 weeks and since I am recovering from anorexia...I had to admit default.
I wasn't able to handle it in a healthy manner. I will be blogging about it soon to help me cope...
BUT reading your post gives me inspiration that I sometime might be able to make the switch.
~Missy
So happy for you going vegan, even if for just a short time to try out. I am glad you see it as attainable, not something too hard to do. If you keep your mind on the ethical aspects I find it's easier, because health info can be manipulated so much. I suggest finding lots of vegan blogs to inspire you! You won't starve for sure!
I've experimented with a different way of eating for my health. I have a chronic condition, so finding nutrients while keeping my gut healthy is a challenge. I went to a holistic nutritionist for some guidance, and I am fortunate that she is skilled in my needs and I have been much healthier since. It's an anti-inflammatory diet with an emphasis on foods I enjoy (fresh fish, avocado, fruit...). It's improve my life greatly.
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