Trying Vegan

For 2016 I’m planning on trying on some lifestyle changes for one month at a time. This month’s focus is on a Vegan diet. I’ve attempted this before but have never been successful longer than 5 minutes. Being the main cook of the house, and having a meat loving husband and child make it challenging to go vegan. Even going vegetarian has been challenging.

This month I’m trying it again. And to support my project I’m planning on doing research about the vegan lifestyle — why people choose it, why they fail, why the succeed. Last night I watched the 2011 documentary:  Veducated. It covers similar topics that are covered in Forks Over Knives. The documentarian and vegan Marissa Miller Wolfson found 6 New Yorkers who were willing to go vegan for 6 weeks and be documented. She educated them on issues of animal cruelty as well as the health benefits of a vegan diet. She was aided by nutritionists who taught these three guinea pigs the healthiest way to go vegan. It’s not the world’s greatest movie but it’s good and the arguments are compelling — so compelling, especially when it came to animal cruelty, that it was hard to go to sleep last night.

New Years Breakfast
Vegan Oatmeal with almond milk, cranberries and almonds.

So far, as of January 4th, I’ve managed to have 0 days of an all vegan diet. On January 1 it was eggs. On January 2 it was cookies that I had made for Juniper on January 1, on January 3 my friend came over with a giant pot of split pea soup with tons of ham in it. So! I’m learning something about going vegan — cold turkey (or should I say “cold tofurkey”) if proving to be quite challenging. At this point I’m thinking two months of attempted vegan diet is in the cards. My husband’s on board, I’m just going to make him sides of meat like pork chops, chicken breast, steak etc and eat the veggie dishes. I’m a good cook, and I don’t really like meat all that much, I’m just sad about eggs mostly, and cheese. I think I’ll go get some vegan cheese today and see if I can find something I like.

Being vegan and gluten free has a whole host of other challenges. Basically the only foods I can eat out in the world are french fries and salads. So I’ll just have to be prepared. Looks like I’ll have to carry a thermos full of soup with me most days.

Vegan Hoppin' John
Vegan Hoppin’ John

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