Tuesday, August 21, 2012

30 Days Vegan.


I don't know if you've noticed, but I've packed on a few pounds
during our three month streak of visitors.
(This is the part where you exclaim, "Put on a few pounds?!
Heck no. Giiiiiirl, you look like you've lost a few pounds.") 
And aside from the extra flab on my tummy, I feel more unhealthy than I have in years. 
I feel dehydrated, lethargic, achy and awful. 
I can practically feel my arteries clogging from all the terrible restaurant food. 
I think I'm a single shred of cheese away from a heart attack.
To help get my nutrition back on track,
I decided that this would be the perfect time to do
30 days Vegan,
one of the items on my 20 by 26 list.
And while I'm going vegan, I'll also be abstaining from restaurant food,
because I happened to promise Ryan one month without eating out if we
got to re-do our office. So, I'm killing two birds with one stone here
(which is a totally inappropriate metaphor,
since I'm talking about a diet that doesn't harm animals).
First thing's first...what does vegan mean?
A lot of people aren't 100% sure of the differences between vegetarianism and veganism.
I'm a vegetarian, so I abstain from meat and fish (and some vegetarians abstain from either
dairy or eggs as well, though I normally eat both dairy and eggs).
A vegan abstains from ALL animal products: meat, fish, dairy and eggs
(and non-edible animal products, too, like leather).
So, how's a vegan supposed to stay healthy, you ask?
I didn't want to jump into this venture without being well-educated, so first I did my research.
The nutrients that vegans (and vegetarians) need to be especially conscious of include
protein, iron, vitamin B-12 and calcium.
Most people get their protein, iron and calcium from meat, dairy or eggs,
because these are the easiest sources of those nutrients.
As a vegan, I'll be eating plant-based sources of these nutrients,
like nuts, grains, seeds and beans.
Vitamin B-12 is only found in animal products, so I'll have to get my
B-12 from fortified foods (like cereals) and from my daily multivitamin
(which will be giving me a boost in my calcium and iron, too).

I'm more than ready to start feeling healthy again
and I'm excited to experiment with new vegan foods and recipes.
Every week I'll be sharing details of my foray into veganism, as well as some of my daily menus
(to prove to you that I'm not just noshing on grass and water).
I'll also be whining about how much I miss ice cream.
That's right...no dairy means no ice cream. 
(Though I'll be allowing myself some non-dairy "ice cream" once each week.)

Yesterday was Day 1 and I'm doing well (so far).
Wish me luck!

23 comments:

  1. I can't wait to hear how this goes, keep me posted!

    Ps, info about an LA blogger happy hour up on my blog today.....I hope you can come!

    Carly
    www.lipglossandcrayons.com

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  2. Good luck and keep us updated.
    There is some great vegan ice-cream out there! Have fun trying! I love anything made with coconut milk!

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  3. Good for you, can't wait to see how this goes for you. I do know when I skip meat and dairy sometimes I feel good. Eating greens and fruits are so good and refreshing :) Heather

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  4. I've been wanting to do this for a long time!! Such a great idea. Funny how when you eat healthier, you want to keep eating good stuff! (obviously the opposite is also true, which sucks) ... plus you're totally doing this in the right season!

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  5. I've thought about becoming vegetarian...and vegan. My Husband and 4 year old wouldn't take too kindly to it though. I really love chicken though...and I eat turkey. I don't eat pork or beef anymore these days, besides an occasional burger or hotdog.

    I hope you do well w/the veganism. I would die without cheese. I love cheese. Like...a lot.

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  6. Wow, that's really cool! :) I can't wait to see your progress and how well it goes for you!

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  7. Good luck! I think you look great, but I understand how important it is to feel comfortable with your body, so do what you gotta do girl!

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  8. My boyfriend and I have been cutting out meat from our diet lately- this may be the next step!

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  9. No... i don't think anyone has noticed that you packed on a few pounds. You are tiny. And your vegan diet is so crazy. MUCH more difficult than a juice cleanse. But I am so excited that you are telling us about it. I wish you all the best. PLEASE keep us updated!

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  10. Good luck! I was told I had a dairy and an egg allergy last December. You wouldn't believe how many things have dairy in them! All but one brand of chips (Old Dutch) have lactose in the seasoning, the salt and vinegar ones. Then finding an egg replacement, they all had dairy in them too. Also being told you had a sesame allergy sucked, cause rice crackers that were vegan, had sesame seeds haha.

    I went to another doctor for a second opinion and he told me there was no accurate way to test for my allergies, so to just eat things as it's probably only a sensitivity, like 75% of the population.

    xo

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  11. I love this! I am trying to go as vegan as possible, so good luck!

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  12. you go girl! I definitely need to start eating a cleaner diet... my summer vacation lifestyle has made me feel less than slim and energetic too! Good luck!
    xx
    Here&Now
    P.S. you are totally gorgeous, and definitely do not look like you have gained an ounce!

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  13. WooHOO! You go, girl! I would never ever be able to do that because of one thing...NO ICE CREAM! You have way more disciple than I do! :)

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  14. this is awesome. My man friend and I recently decided to start taking some steps towards transitioning from vegetarian to vegan. Will you be sharing any recipes or tips? (hint hint )

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  15. My parents decided to be vegan for awhile (we were all vegetarian at that point -- not so much anymore), and it wasn't that bad, actually. Trader Joe's is your friend -- there is so much vegan ice cream and stuff there! Good luck!

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  16. Good luck. I'm not vego at all but I often just forget to eat meat and I love so many of the vegetarian/vegan substitutes available. I am sure you will do well!
    xo Emilie @ Hungry Delights

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  17. Ohh very exciting, I'd love to do something similar, as I'm also vegetarian and need a health spurt. I don't know how I would deal with breakfast though... looking forward to hearing how you cope! x

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  18. I'd love to try something like this. . . but not sure if be able to maintain self-control ;) good for you though! =D

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  19. Wow, I wish I could do something like this.. or at least cut out restaurant foods for 30 days! I don't think my willpower is as good as yours, though! Excited to hear how this goes!

    http://dreamingenfrancais.blogspot.com/

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  20. good luck girl! you can do it! and hope your toe is feeling better ;-)

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  21. I had just decided to get more serious with my blog, again, and this is so similar to my latest post!! Im on that "feel like crap" train with you. SO Im also trying to do things to be a lot healthier. So proud you are going vegan for 30 days. I wish I had it in me to do that. Can't wait to read your posts!

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  22. Good for you girl! I don't label the way I eat, but I rarely eat meat, I mostly go natural, and I don't eat much dairy. I only cut myself off from stuff when I "detox", but most of the time, I simply choose the healthy options. It is totally worth it!

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This is the part where you tell the pups how cute they are.
...but seriously, thank you so much for stopping by and for your wonderful comment! I read them all and try to respond as often as I can. We hope you visit again soon :)