Day 20-Final Day

Well this is actually the last day. Actually the diet ENDS today. Due to health reasons, (being weak and hungry etc....) my mom and I have decided its best to end a day early. I am sure that a lot of people will say "oh you couldn't make it 21 days!!" but let me tell you that 20 days was certainly enough. It was quite difficult, and I advise that if anyone wants to seriously attempt this, they should think long and hard about it. I had milk this morning for the first time in 3 weeks, and it tasted awful! I was surprised because I used to absolutely love milk and drink it everyday. I assume that it will just take quite some time to get used to everything again. I have three weeks worth of hunger pent up, so I am sure that I will be eating A LOT these next few days to catch up. Overall it was an "enlightening" experience. It made me appreciate the fact that I was eating healthy, and that we should all pay more attention to what we are eating and HOW MUCH we are eating. Most importantly, it was a way of staying away from meat in order to discourage the mistreatment of animals. Support animals!!! Thanks for reading!!! =]

Day 19

Well today was an epic FAIL when it comes to my vegan-liciousness. I am okay with the fact that I cheated just a BIT considering the fact that I have been pretty strict with myself this entire time. I actually tried to be good for lunch, but it ended up not being what I expected when I ordered. I found out that eating beef is a bad idea, taking into account that my body is NOT used to it. fun!!! (not.) 2 MORE DAYS

Breakfast:
YEP, you guessed it!!! toast with pb
Lunch:
cho-fun noodles. (with beef.ew)
Dinner:
umm..pizza.it was my option?

Day 18

It is day 18 which means only THREE DAYS LEFT!!!! Now that I look back it really hasn't seemed like too long, but it will certainly be a relief to go back to my normal eating. The reason this has seemed somewhat difficult is because it is hard to keep creative when it comes to vegan cooking. If this were a permanent lifestyle change, I would put forth more effort in order to make a more diverse menu, but considering it is only three weeks, I have accepted that I'm pretty much eating the same thing everyday. I am quite sick of the food I am eating, but I can handle three more days!!!

Breakfast:
Toast w/ PB
Lunch:
random vegan-licious snacks
Dinner:
rice w/ mushrooms
Dessert:
SOY ice cream sandwich

Day 17

Well I am getting very anxious to go back to my normal eating now. It is just starting to hit me how much I want to eat GOOD food. But one statement: I am so SICK of rice!!!

Breakfast:
Smoothie
toast w/ PB
Lunch:
rice w/ mushrooms and carrots
Dinner:
rice with potatoes and pumpkin squash
Dessert:
SOY ice cream sandwich (SOOO good!)

Day 16

I cant believe this is the LAST WEEK of this crazy food diet-oops I mean veganism...

Breakfast:
Toast w/PB (surprisingly, I don't miss actual butter)
Lunch:
*exception*
Dinner:
Risotto w/ vegetables

Day 15

OK, I am going to say it-this vegan thing is more ANNOYING than inconvenient. I am well aware what I can and cannot have, but now its just bugging me. I WANT milk, and chocolate, and cheese, and yummmmy food. Oh well.

Breakfast:
Toast w/ PB
tea
Lunch:
Ministroni soup
Dinner:
*exception*
Dessert:
Vegan cupcake. yay!!

Day 14

Wow! Fourteen days! And I am still alive!! Today was a very vegan oriented day, because we went to SF for the day and found an all vegan restaurant! It was called Herbivore, and it was great!!! It was nice knowing that I could pick anything off the menu instead of going straight to the salads. I noticed that all the vegan people in there were very trendy and healthy looking! I suppose I am one of them temporarily!

Breakfast:
Smoothie
Lunch:
VEGAN french toast!
Dinner
Bread w/ peanut butter

Day 13

I really think I am getting the hang out this vegan plan. I wake up in the morning knowing exactly what I will have because my options are very limited, but I have accepted this. Considering the fact that I ate dinner (last night) and breakfast at a college cafeteria, I thought it would be difficult but I was able to create a meal =)

Breakfast:
Vegan breakfast burrito (tortilla, rice, beans, tots, pico de gallo)
Lunch:
Not very hungry because of breakfast.
Dinner:
Going to eat dinner out tonight, so wish me luck!

Day 12

Today was a tough day food wise because I was quite busy. While I was making my oatmeal in the microwave it exploded out of the bowl, leaving two spoonfuls of oatmeal left. That was a tradegy and I didnt have time to do it over, so oh well. Also, I may have made a SMALL exception for lunch considering the fact that I didnt really have any other option...

Breakfast:
Oatmeal...kinda?
Lunch:
Mac n' cheese.....(opppppps)
Dinner:
Spinach salad

Day 11

"Keep holding on, just stay strong" = veganism

Breakfast:
Oatmeal
Lunch:
taco bell bean burrito (just beans, but he guy in the drive thru had a hard time grasping the concept that I didnt want cheese...)
Dinner:
potato and leak soup (tooooo much rosemary..)

Day 10

Well things are going fine and dandy, except for the negative responses I have received from this plan. It is just three weeks, an experiment if I may, so don't judge.

Breakfast:
Oatmeal
Lunch:
"chicken nuggets" (thanks nat!!)
Dinner:
Avocado, bean, rice wrap

-I kinda miss chocolate...

Day 9

Well I am almost halfway done with all this, and I think I am actually on track with it. I have become accustomed to my food limitations by now, so things are getting a bit easier. Today my Dad and I went to Safeway to buy some fake meat and we got some "chicken", ha ha.

Breakfast:
tea(I am trying to train myself to like tea, in substitution for hot chocolate)
Bread with peanut butter (yum, protein!)
Lunch:
Rice and beans
Dinner:
Pasta w/ red sauce
"chicken"
Dessert:
Strawberry sorbet

In addition to my special diet, I have decided that I should probably start taking vitamins in order to make up for the nutrition/calcium/protein I am lacking. So all y'all can stop worrying about me =P

Day 8

Yay! It has been a full week of veganism, and overall it has been quite a success! I cant believe I have two weeks left, because that seems like a very very long time.

Breakfast:
Smoothie
Vegan waffles (they tasted like cardboard with syrup on them! yuck!)
Lunch:
White rice and beans( protein, protein, protein!)
Dinner:
Pasta with pesto sauce and sun dried tomatoes
Dessert:
soy ice cream (this batch was not so good)

My mom has started to buy a lot of our vegan food at trader joes, because they have a great selection of organic food, etc. So if any of you are interested in buying organic food, or veggie food, trader joes is the place!

Day 7

Well it has almost been a week, and this weekend's food has been very good! It is actually kinda fun to search for new recipes and try new things, because it is all very new and exciting in a way. Yes it's true that the food is not as flavorful as normal food or meat, but considering the fact that it is all very healthy im quite pleased. Being on this special diet makes me wonder if I will alter my diet when I go back to normal eating. I have learned so far that being vegan and eating ONLY vegan friendly foods, makes you very aware of what exactly you are putting in your body. I have never read so many food labels until now, in order to make sure that I am eating the right thing. It is a great feeling to know that no animals were killed or hurt while I eat my dinner. I think I will take with me those same principals when I go back to a normal eating plan.

Breakfast:
Oatmeal
Lunch:
Soup and bread (from last night)
Dinner:
Vegetable stir fry with rice
Dessert:
Peach sorbet! (my new favorite thing!!)

The only downside (other than missing all the food I love that I was accustomed to), is that I am ALWAYS hungry now! I have no clue why, because I am eating my meals, but I think it is due to the lack of protein in the meat I used to eat. I better work on that!

Sincerely,
Angelica

p.s-thank you VERY much for all the people who have been reading this! Thanks for the support! =]

Day 6

Almost a week! Day six, and the food is surprisingly getting better. My Dad is quite the vegan chef! I did a little research today for vegan friendly pizza and dinner recipes. I found that at papa murphy's you can get a veggie pizza as long as you ask for it without cheese. I also found a soup recipe for dinner. I really appreciate the fact that while I am at my Dad's house he has adapted to my particular dietary needs!

Breakfast:
Oatmeal w/brown sugar
Lunch:
Veggie pizza (quite good!!)
Dinner:
Creamy potato and leek soup(taste just like potato soup)
sourdough bread
Dessert:
Peach Sorbet (yay!)

Day 5

Well it is only day five.....but I have made some minor exceptions.I do not look at this as a failed attempt on my vegan plan, but simply a small bump in the road.I figured that considering I have to eat as a vegan for 21 days, a meal or two WONT HURT ME?... But I am back on the wagon now, so wish me luck!!!

Breakfast:
Biscuit sausage sandwish (opps?)
Lunch:
Rice
Dinner:
pasta

Day 4

Ok, I am NOT giving up just yet (I know that's pathetic because its only been four days) but this vegan thing is getting old very quickly. I cant just eat what I want, I have to eat only very specific, taste-less things. Today I made cupcakes for a friend's birthday party tonight, and I had heard that the Nugget Market has vegan mixes, but NOPE. I had high expectations, and kept searching but no vegan mixes. They had gluten-free mixes which were fine except for the fact that you have to add eggs in order to make it....Oh well. Its simply something that I will need to get used to for the next several weeks. It was kinda torture to make delicious fun-fetti cupcakes, but hey its not for me. Tonight should be interesting because I am going to a birthday party and I have a feeling I wont be able to eat anything. Resist temptation!!!

Breakfast:
Wheat bread w/ jam
Orange juice

Lunch:
Beans and rice

Dinner:
???

Day 3

I have just finished day three and have realized that this is a very difficult plan. Today I was faced with a strong sense of temptation while I had lunch at a trendy cafe in San Fransisco, filled with decadent pastries, and hot sandwiches. While I looked over the menu, I continued to say "no, no, cant have that, wait-or that, etc...". Not fun. I am getting a little annoyed at the fact that the past few days I am always hungry because I feel as if this super healthy food is not very filling at all. The challenges are just beginning to arise in strict vegan diet plan. Just thought I would share with you some of the things going through my mind (or stomach). Here is the menu for the day-

Breakfast:
Oatmeal
Smoothie
Lunch:
Small side salad(too much vinegar, ew!)
Dinner:
Rice and beans
Salad


Thing I miss the most:Milk.

Sincerely,
Your vegan adventurer-
Angelica

Day 2

Yay! One more day done. Maybe it is my imagination, but this really is not so bad. I look at it as a way to force myself to be super healthy! I do miss drinking milk though..tear...ha ha. BUT water and apple juice are just as good! So I am very gracious that my Dad made a SPECIAL vegan dinner just because of me, so thank you! This is what I ate today.

Breakfast:
Smoothie
Wheat toast(you can only eat certain breads) w/ jam
Lunch:
White rice(no butter either!)
Bell peppers
Dinner:
Vegan Sheppard Pie, yum!!

I have realized though, that just in two days, my taste expectations have diminished dramatically, because I am getting used to the word "blan". Tomorrow will be a day in the city, so it should be interesting finding vegan friendly food options.Adios!

Sincerely,
Angelica

Day 1

Today was my very FIRST day of my vegan diet.It was not too bad, quite easy actually, but I was a bit hungry. This was my meal plan

Breakfast:
smoothie
sourdough break w/ peanut butter
Lunch:
Pita Chips
cutie tangerine
Dinner:
Tofu sausage and bell peppers
Cous Cous
Dessert:
tangerine
might try some soy ice cream???

My first day exceeded my expectations, but I am sure this will get more difficult as this continues. Wish me luck!! (20 days left....)