So as I mentioned yesterday, I have decided to full steam ahead it down the Vegan railroad. This means no meat, no dairy and definitely the hardest for me...no cheese. Just uttering those words hurts my heart so.
I made this decision a little over a month ago and expected it to last maybe a day but you know what? It is totally sticking. I feel leaner, healthier, and confident with what I'm putting in my body. And I swear I only cheat every other Sunday with cheese pizza. It's that whole cheese thing I tell you. The meat, I barely think twice about missing, the eggs, bleck, I never liked those anyways but the brie, oh the brie.
Anyhoo, this is not meant to be a diatribe against meat or why Vegan is the Jam, what I'm really wanting to know is are there any other veganites out there and if so, can I get your suggestions? Staples, what works, what totally doesn't, favorite recipes, books, blogs, I'll take it all. I'm drowning in a sea of salad. Danke schon smarties xoxo
Posts
I recommend reading Veganist. It's a fantastic book -- not preachy AT ALL -- and it will confirm everything you're feeling and more (which is always nice!). Plus, she offers a ton of food suggestions and shopping lists as well as her favorite Vegan cookbooks.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Veganist-Weight-Healthy-Change-World/dp/1602861331
thank you Bianca! Will do
ReplyDeleteWow that take quite the commitment! I've been thinking about going gluten free (definitel not as drastic). I completely agree about the cheese - I just couldn't live without it!
ReplyDeleteWhat made you want to go Vegan?
That is awesome! I've recently gone vegan, gluten free, no refined sugar and it feels amazing. I miss the cheese too and may incorporate small amounts of it back in - love your cheat sundays. I don't have any specific books or blogs, but just a few things to share. Planning is key. Fake meat products and fake cheese isn't really worth it, especially once you glance at the sodium content. Polenta is a life saver. This kale and quinoa pilaf, sans goat cheese, is a staple in my house: http://www.wordsbeatsandeats.com/2011/02/one-pot-wonder-my-kind-of-romance/
ReplyDeleteAnd oh my word, roasted sweet potatoes with curry spices.
If you're missing sweets, a friend of mine makes a killer raw cashew ice cream, which she says is quite simple. And I really like the dark cacao L.O.V.E Cups, which i found in the raw food section of whole foods.
I have started to consider this path and as I began to read this post, I swear I had a piece of cheese in my mouth as I read "This means no meat, no dairy and definitely the hardest for me...no cheese." I swallowed it quickly. I think this is such a healthy way to go and am excited to hear how it's going for you!
ReplyDeleteoh, also - totally stealing the "is the Jam" phrase. You pop out the best phrases.
Hi Erin! I go down the vegan path myself from time to time when my body is feeling out of sorts and it always does the trick. Kudos to you for sticking to it! I'm not so much into tofu or seitan or other fake meat products so I'm always looking for something chock-ful-o veggies or beans. I'd recommend checking out happyherbivore.com. My favorite recipe from there that I make over and over are her chickpea tacos. So simple, so delicious, so easy to forget it's vegan. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHi Erin! I'm not a vegan, but I love the vegan blog, ohsheglows.com. The girl that writes it is a great writer and photographer, and so inspirational! Plus her recipes look fantastic :) Hope that helps!
ReplyDeleteLisa
we're proud of you! our dairy-free goal is off to a so-so start...keep us posted on favorite recipes!
ReplyDeleteOh yay! i always love when someone goes vegan! I have been a vegan for almost 5 years so i have quite a few recipes up my sleeve by now:) But i definitely remember the salad days when i was so unsure of what i could or could not eat. Feel free to check out my blog for any recipes:
ReplyDeletehttp://flaxseedandsoynuts.wordpress.com
and here are a few of my favorite vegan blogs:
http://peasandthankyou.com
http://ohsheglows.com
and you HAVE to get the cookbook "Veganomicon" (you can find it cheap on amazon) it has a ton of great recipes! The banana bread is my favorite:)
I've been thinking about going vegan too, but I DO LOVE THE INCREDIBLE EDIBLE EGG!! Sigh.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, a friend of mine had this great vegan food blog:
http://cybiljennette.blogspot.com/
It's not updated but the food looks amazing!
SO inspiring!!!! I would consider going vegan if it meant no soy substitute for everything and lots and lots of legumes, fruits and veggies. Keep us informed with how everything goes. XO!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!!! I grew up vegetarian and discovered bacon in my teen years, good cheese in my early 20s and oh-baby I can't imagine my life as a Vegan... Nevermind the fact that I'm married to a butcher! Haha! Again, good luck!!!!
ReplyDelete<3 MuffinLovesBiscuit
Good for you! I actually decided to go Vegan about three weeks ago and I'm LOVING it. It is hard to re-adjust your cravings or foods that you would normally turn to, but once you are in the swing of it it's not so bad. Since I have somewhat of a sweet tooth (and I've also sworn off sugar for the time being) my favorite recipe is for homemade Larabars. You can google and get lots of recipes, but they have zero sugar and are fairly dense so you don't feel like you need to OD on them. I also love pita sandwiches with hummus and tomato/avocado/lettuce and cracked pepper. And oatmeal! Don't forget the beautiful staple of life. Go forth and prosper!
ReplyDeleteAlicia Silverstone's book, The Kind Diet, is amazing and has great recipes!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all of the awesome recommendations. You guys totally rock. I will keep you updated on the Vegan front. One thing is for certain, thank goodness coffee and Vodka don't come from animals otherwise I would be IN MAJOR TROUBLE
ReplyDeleteI'm actually a vegetarian not vegan (the cheese is also too hard for me to pass up, and greek yogurt but that's about all I eat for dairy) and my favorite vegan cookbook is Veganomicon. I also love the blog 101 Cookbooks - the author Heidi also has a series of books that are all great. All vegetarian with a ton of vegan recipes.
ReplyDeleteOh Erin, I've been down the vegan path 100 times in my veggie life and can never stay away from cheese and yogurt
ReplyDeletefor long stretches. If only you were back in SD- I need a local cheerleader. So proud of you for trying this path- it's a lifestyle I totally believe in. Keep
us posted, you just might be the motivation I need again:)
I'm Vegetarian and I LOVE it! I agree Oh She Glows is the bomb but also try Kyla Roma - great blog and she even has a Vegan Rainbow Cake Recipe! YUM. http://www.kylaroma.com/category/handson/recipes/
ReplyDeleteGood luck lovely!
My friend is the author of Like A Vegan - a food and lifestyle blog - http://likeavegan.com.au/
ReplyDelete