A Month of Vegan

I mentioned in my never-ending posts of yesterday (that were really just my personal journal--sorry!) that I had a health goal in mind as the year began, but I don''t really count it in my New Year's thinking because it's more of a post-December detox than a planned lifestyle change.

I eat vegetarian most of the time, and I would say that over 50% of the meals I eat are vegan or are made with very little dairy.  I also generally eat pretty healthfully, and I usually feel like I'm on the right track for sustainable healthy eating.

December took a toll on me, however.  I was eating cookies non-stop and drinking more than usual.  I was also mostly eating high-fat dairy like butter and cheese.  For the first time in my life, I developed consistent heartburn for almost a week straight.

When I became a (mostly) vegetarian the last time, I decided to be less strict with my eating habits so that I could sustain it long term.  I don't generally think that being restrictive is helpful to my health because my self-imposed restrictions just make me want what I can't have.  But the way my body was feeling at the end of December was a catalyst for a drastic shift, at least for a few weeks.

So, I'm going vegan to see how my body feels.  I'm also not drinking for the rest of January.  I'm on my first day of veganing and my second day of teetotaling.  I ordered my favorite herbal tea from Gong Fu Tea so I would not feel like I was missing my liquid treat.  I'm trying to be more routine about taking my vitamin as back-up, and I found this article really helpful to examine the different amino acids I'll be getting.

Here's what I ate today:
Breakfast:
Cereal (did include honey, but it was on sale!) with blackberries and soy milk
Coffee

Lunch:
Leftover french lentil soup recipe from Veganomicon
Homemade wheat bread
Apple

Afternoon Snack:
Green tea
Almonds

While preparing dinner:
A pear (usually I am drinking wine and/or eating crackers and cheese)

Dinner:
Curry Noodles with Tofu and Veggies

After-Dinner Treat:
Herbal tea (I was really looking forward to it--I love this stuff!)

So far I feel great.  It's early on so I'm not yet missing some of the things I know I eventually will.  I'm definitely going to have to try some vegan baking to satisfy the sweet tooth I know will arrive.  I'm looking forward to seeing how I feel.  I was even considering (gasp!) weaning myself off coffee and toward green tea for the month to see how my body is impacted.  I suppose there's no time like now if I'm going to deprive myself of other things I love.  Maybe next week...