After spending yesterday preparing my last dairy filled dish (a DELICIOUS blue cheese scalloped potatoes), and feasting on amazing pies and other goodies in celebration of Thanksgiving, I have decided that it's time to put my beliefs where my mouth is.
I've been a pseudo-vegetarian for about 4 years now, claiming that I didn't "eat anything that walks," so that I was still able to eat my favorite fishes, crab, dairy and egg products. This has worked out well for me, except for the 30 or so pounds I gained upon my conversion to pseudo-vegetarianism. A friend of mine gave me a book called, "Skinny Bitch," mostly for the vegan food lists in the back that would help me shop for delicious vegetarian alternatives to meat (soy bacon and whatnot). I devoured the book, it's a great tough love book on getting skinny, written by two women who claim, "we may be bitches, but we're skinny bitches." I loved it, and most of all, it convinced me that in order to get skinny, I'd have to give up fish, dairy, eggs, caffeine, coffee - many of my favorite things.
As a former animal shelter worker, and a proponent of animal welfare legislation and practices, it's time for me to use the same compassion in my eating habits as I do in my everyday life as I care for my animals, and other animals in need.
It's time to go vegan.
I know it's going to take time. It's the day after Thanksgiving, and after eating leftover Apple Pie with my coffee with milk and sugar, I'm ready to take the plunge. Tomorrow, I'm hosting a crab feed for my friends, and I will eat the crab, but I will make my Caesar Salad with fake parmesan cheese, and see if anyone notices the difference. Rather than go cold turkey (ha, no pun intended), I'm going to ease into this new lifestyle so that I can succeed rather than fail.
I will start buying vegan products like Rice Dream or Soy Milk, faux cheese, etc.
This journal will track my progress, my frustrations, my cravings, and most of all, my success.
I will post websites, recipes, and products that I have found delicious, helpful, and handy.
Stay tuned!
