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.