Day 30 - I DID IT!!!!!

Success will never taste as sweet as it will tomorrow!  I can't wait to take a bite of chocolate :)   I knew this month would be hard but it was much harder than I anticipated.  Eating out vegan is very difficult as most restaurants don't have any vegan options.  I have to say that I feel a strong sense of accomplishment.  Even though it was not in my plan, I've lost 7 lbs. and feel great.  

So the question is, what am I going to take away from this month?

Alcohol - There is really no question here, I am ready for a glass of wine!
Sugar- I know that I will eat sugar every once in a while but I hope to keep it for special occasions rather than an everyday treat.  I finally feel like my cravings for sugar have subsided.  
Caffeine - I used to have the occasional soda and latte but I don't miss them.  I think the only caffeine in my diet will come from chocolate or hot tea.
Meat - I didn't eat it much anyway so it wasn't missed.  I will still eat meat when I am at someone's house and it is being served for dinner but I don't plan on bringing it into our home or ordering it when I am out to eat.  I will, however, try some grass fed meat in May when we are eating local/organic.
Dairy -Cheese is my dairy passion but I only miss it when I am out to eat or at a party where it is melted in a giant bowl with chips ready to dive in.  I know that I will eat cheese again and probably soon but living without it for so long has reminded me that there are so many other great flavors out there.  I don't need everything drenched in cheese.   

On top of this, I have learned a lot about my eating habits.  I tend to go for a "bad" snack in the early afternoons when the kids are resting.  As a reward for making it through the morning ;)  I found that even though I didn't have the "bad" things around that I would normally eat, I found something to replace it.  So, for me, it is not the type of food, it is the emotions driving me to eat at that time when I am not hungry and if I want to change it, taking away the "bad" food isn't the answer.  I've started taking the time to notice when I am searching for food to fill emotions or habits rather than hunger.

I've got some great new recipes and I plan to continue cooking vegan food at home on a daily basis.

I have also been reminded how great my husband is.  He supported me on this monthly journey by eating everything I cooked and talked me through almost quitting twice.  

Day 27 - Almost There

I can't believe there are only 3 days left!!!  This week has been really easy (food wise) because the kids and I have been sick.  I have had no desire for alcohol or anything rich.  I should have just been sick the whole month...that would have made it so easy. 

Vegan Banana bread:  This is my last recipe so I hope you enjoy it.  My mother-in-law adapted it from a non-vegan recipe and it is really good! 

Day 23 - I Can Do This

Or this is what I keep telling myself.  A friend wanted to bring me a "treat" because I am obviously deprived.  Unfortunately there is nothing that is meat, dairy, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol free that is any fun so she got me this, thanks Kristen :)

There are only  8 days left of this business and I go from feeling fabulous about it one day to wanting to shove my face in a pot of cheese after getting drunk the next.  I don't know how it will end but I am learning a lot about myself and my eating habits this month.

This week I made red lentil soup (no picture but it is in the recipes tab).  And this pizza which is really easy.  I added sauce to a premade crust and topped it with diced veggies.  Cook about 12 minutes on the rack at 400. So good I didn't miss the cheese.

I also made these sweet potatoes modifying a recipe my brother-in-law, Eric, gave me. Really easy and very tasty (in the recipes tab).

Day 19 - Are You Sure?

Really, only day 19???  I'm dragging over here. The past two days have been filled with cheating thoughts.  I was in the parking lot of Barnes and Noble today and the meaty smell from Texas Land and Cattle made me drool and I'm not even a big meat person.  My kids cheese sticks have been calling me from the snack drawer...eat me, melt me, eat me!!!  I am eating lots of nuts and avocado to help with the cravings.

This week we made these dishes and I added them to the recipe tab.
Quinoa Tabbouleh and Hummus:
 
Tofu Taco Filling: I've always wanted to make this but tofu is always so mushy for me.  I found a great tip, freeze the package and then thaw and squeeze the water out.  The tofu was much more firm and this was great on our crispy taco shells with all the fillings.

Day 15 - Half Way!!!

I can't believe that I am already at the half way mark!  This weekend has been so much easier and I feel great.  At this point the only thing I am missing is a glass of wine (or a whole bottle).

One huge benefit is the savings when I am out with my girlfriends.  I usually spend at least $20 with tip for dinner and a drink.  This week we went out for Mexican and I spent $5 including tip...gotta love free chips and salsa!

I've been reading a lot of literature about eating vegan/vegetarian and was aware of some environmental impact but was surprised by how far reaching it is.  When I look at my list of challenges for the year that involve being more "green," I think abstaining from meat may make the most impact. Here are a few bits of info I found interesting:

"In 2006 the United Nations released a report called 'Livestock's Long Shadow.'  It revealed that animal agriculture is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions each year than all the planes, trains, boats, cars, and trucks on earth."  - Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr

"Nearly half the water consumed in this country is used for livestock, mostly cattle." - Audubon, Dec 1999.

"Right now, 72 percent of all grain produced in the United States is fed to animals raised for slaughter. It takes 15 pounds of feed to get one pound of meat. But if the grain were given directly to people, there'd be enough food to feed the entire planet." - Vegetarian Times, Dworkin, April 1999.

Day 10 - Still Alive

OK...I have to admit that if I hadn't committed to this month and told everyone about it, I sooooooo would have quit Saturday night.  My parents took the kids overnight and we usually indulge by going out to eat and having some drinks.   I was really missing creamy food made with cheese!!  My awesome husband let me whine A LOT and then we went to dinner at Mother's Cafe.  We has a great time and their salad with cashew tamari dressing is amazing!

It is clear how strongly I associate certain food with "fun."  And I have certain foods I go to when I am stressed.  Since this cleanse has eliminated all of those foods, I find myself substituting other food in its place.  The rest of this month seems like a good time to evaluate some of these habits since removing the food results in the same outcome.

After all this business I am back to feeling good about this month.  I am sure there will be more emotional moments before it is all over.

We made some amazing food again this week...click on the tab up top for recipes.

Southwest Coleslaw- this is amazing, no mayo!
 

Lemony Spiced Chickpeas with Spinach


Faux Tuna that is good for sandwiches or wraps.

Day 7 - Not Hungover

It is Saturday and I didn't drink 1/2 a bottle of red wine last night!  The week days were great but last night I soooooo wanted some wine with my vegan sushi.  I settled for bubbly water with lime...not even close!
If you like sushi and have never made your own, it is really easy.
Asparagus, cucumber, carrots, cilantro and avocado.

 Spread short grain brown rice on the nori, load it up and roll (sometimes I add a line of sriracha sauce and tahini too).
 
 So yummy!
 
 Cut with a very sharp knife and enjoy with tamari.
 

The only other thing I have craved is cheese.  I still have some around the house for the kids and when I make them a grilled cheese sandwich I drool into the pan.  Luckily I found a substitute that isn't half bad. Daiya is the best vegan cheese I've found.  It actually melts!
 

 A lot of people have been asking for recipes so I added a tab at the top of the blog where you can find the yummy food I am enjoying this month :)

Day 3- So Far, So Good

Things are going really well so far!  Besides being hungover, I spent Day 1 and Day 2 chopping and cooking up a storm.  I've made raw kale salad, black bean hummus, tostadas with guacamole in place of cheese, hot and sour soup, and thai veggies with quinoa.  I wish I could put samples up here for you to taste because everything has been so yummy.  The only problem so far is the leftover cheese staring at me from the fridge.  My husband promises me he is going to eat it so I don't have to look at it anymore.  If it is not gone by 9:00 a.m. tomorrow, it is going in the trash.

Kale Salad
 
Hot and Sour Soup
 
My wonderful husband helping me chop.