Vegan challenge update week two
Last week goals are this week's victories!
Improvement goals!
This week will be focused on creative meals. Properly documenting my meals with dates like the rules state. More so, next week I want to address a lot of the vegan hate post. I've noticed a few of them and I think a nonvegan should address them since the vegan's probably don't engage with such silliness.
That statement was made seven days ago on my first week post called, vegan challenge week one update. Since that time, I have made the following creative meals.
PART two of week one goals was addressing all the naysayers.
There have been a few posts out recently about vegans. A personal favorite is from my fellow Floridian steemian @negativer. He wrote a post called, Vegans, Vegetarians, Pescatarians, and Other Strange and Terrible Creatures:: Comedy Open Mic Round # 8.
His disclaimer alone is worthy of a follow, but I refuse to because he challenges me not to fall into the Steemit guilt trap.
You, however, should fall for it because you don’t share a state with him not do you have the privilege of having a mini-meetups every so often. His posts are hilarious and even though he pokes fun he never really kills anyone except for the characters in his story, but that's for another day.
The real naysayers that should be SLAYED!
Then you have individuals that post mean vegan memes and what not. As I mentioned before, most vegans don’t bother commenting on those post because it isn’t worth their time. Since I am only doing this challenge for a limited time. Why poke fun at my diet choices? Is this an inconvenience to you? I can see how at times it can be, but most vegans know the world is against their life choice, so they prepare.
Rarely is there a vegan-friendly place
I’ve learned this week, how challenging it is to be dairy free. There is dairy in, what feels like, EVERYTHING. With that said, I remind myself why I took one this challenge.
First, I wanted to do this challenge to help boost my fundraiser efforts. I am blogging my way to Europe and the SBD prize is exactly what I need to get there.
Secondly, I want to live a healthier lifestyle.
Whenever I take on a health challenge I commit to it 100%. Only if I will revert back to my old ways after the challenge ends. Also, if I slowly dive in with the mindset that this is a long-term commitment then I give myself more grace. With this challenge, I really want to prep myself to eat less animal product and processed foods.
My oopsie of the week.
The following were consumed and should not have been.
Croissant.
I saw a croissant and learned there is not only milk, but eggs, and butter. Butter mind you are in a lot of stuff, but before we go into that. This croissant and I crossed paths after declining, cake, cookies, and donuts. I convinced myself this was vegan then quickly learned I was very wrong.
Popcorn.
Popcorn, for example, is one of my favorite snacks. In case you haven't read my movie theater experience post let me tell you. I rate movie theaters on price, seating, and popcorn. I recently learned, although movie theater popcorn is air popped and you can ask for no butter. Butter somehow appears on the popcorn. I know this by the orange tan on my white popcorn that should not be there. Apparently, you have to ask for no butter before they air pop it to guarantee 100% vegan.
MILK CHOCOLATE the only chocolate option!
This is more of a side note than an opps.
Every snack offered has milk in it, this is truly sad. However, I did discover a lemonade icy that saved the day! Like Oreos, these vegan-friendly snacks are delicious and extremely unhealthy. Do not fall into the trap of eating all processed foods. That is not the healthy vegan way!
If you think there is milk in it, there probably is. Lesson learned the third week will be better. Have faith in me!
THAT FRIEND!
I went to a friend's friend birthday party and she made a Brazilian dish. It looked like one of my favorite dish, which I knew contained milk. Turns out it wasn't my favorite dish and it contains coconut milk. It did look like it was made with milk, so I told her I couldn't try it. Coconut milk, she reassures me. Only after I taste it does she tell me it also has bits of shrimp. -_- It was delicious, so I couldn’t be too mad. She also didn’t know I was vegan. We will give her a pass.
I miss BREAD!
Bread, it has the stuff to make it fluffy that isn’t vegan-friendly. This makes me sad, as I love bread. @choogirl send me this book called proteinaholic. This is helping me to see that I overeat protein and under eat fiber. I’ll give a full report after I read it. Probably in next week update. GREAT NEWS! Cuban bread has no dairy in it! We have found the saving grace.
PRAISE JESUS!
WE have tons of this kind of bread and I have to be careful not to over carb myself.
The stuff I miss because it is everywhere!
Yes, I miss milk chocolate. Bread in general and popcorn. Also, I went to a burger place and was beyond surprised and grateful for a veggie/vegan option! It was amazing, but it had MAYO ON IT! Shoot me, how do people live this way. I couldn’t take it back, but I was frustrated. Before ordering, I asked if it came with any cheese and when they said no. I didn’t think I needed to ask about sauce too, now I know better. This was my last oppies of the week. I promise.
Question for you vegan eaters.
How do other vegans eat out? Do you have a list of question or assumptions you ask to ensure these meals are vegan?Do you ask, is there any cheese, any cheese-like sauce, anything containing diary? Or do you ask for vegan options straight up?
Vegan isn’t the end all be all, but there should be some consideration.
Come in the world! Give us vegan-friendly options!
They probably want milkshakes, milk chocolate, and bread that is vegan-friendly. Oh and pizza, there needs to be more vegan pizza in the world! We need to cater more to our vegan friends because they are truly doing us a favor. Alright, end rant. Below are the pictures of my meals this week! I realized this week, I did eat a ton more veggies and fewer carbs. I haven't cooked anything amazing, but what momma cooked is always amazing. Mind you, I do eat the same meals for lunch and dinner, so although the pictures are all over the place it is what I have consumed. I do have a bit of sad news. I broke my favorite Kubby Glass cup...
Truly saddened by this.
Breakfast
As I mentioned, this meal is the same every day. Sometimes, I'll eat a fruit too. Pictured below is the crime scene too.
Lunch & DINNER!
I was eating a lot of rice and bread, so I cut back the last two days and ate more veggies. As I mentioned, what is for lunch is also for dinner. I did go to a Greek restaurant and have AMAZING falafel.
DINNER & LUNCH!
I don't get bored eating the same salad with various fruits that I eat throughout the day. I wish there were sandwich sold without cheese and eggs. Next week, I am going to eat vegan pizza and ice cream!
Snacks
Pictured below is very yummy fried potato and sweet potato. I had eaten most of them before I remembered to take a picture. I also forgot to take a picture of hummus, avocado, and the oranges I’ve been eating as a snack everyday.
Ps: Next week I am thinking about checking out the competition, giving a book review, and final thoughts as the challenge comes to an end. Wish me luck!
I have never been one to take to the term "vegan". I feel, as with most labels, it comes with pre-attached stigmas. Also I am a born and raised farm boy. This does not mean I support big agriculture. As a matter of fact, I about as anti big ag as it comes, but my whole family is big ag.
So I prefer to go with wfpb (whole food, plant based) nutrition. My wife and I went to this way of life after I was diagnosed with cancer. Clean eating and living are the most important things in my book.
I agree, at first it can be difficult to transition but we have been at it for about 4 years now and it becomes second nature. Do we ever slip up? Of course we do. We are human. Sometimes it is impossible to avoid everything. Just don't get down on yourself if you eat things that you now know you shouldn't. Food is the absolute worst addiction there is going, so a relapse once in awhile can be expected.
I wish you the best on this journey of yours.
Peace,
The Last Sage
I think after the Challenege I’ll stick to it for a bit a longer too. I can’t say I’ll be vegan because any grass feed free range animal would be a healthy choice. I’m going to carefully watch how much protein I consume. If anything this Challenege has opened my eyes to how much I consume.
I've been enjoying these updates Kubby. In regards to bread, are you choosing white bread or wholemeal? I think wholemeal tends to have more vegan choices but you still have to read the ingredients. I just did a quick search for US brands and found this: https://www.livestrong.com/article/185769-which-brands-of-bread-are-vegan/
Also, local bakeries tend to be more vegan friendly as their bread has a shorter shelf life than supermarket breads, so there's less 'other stuff' in them.
This might help you too: https://www.peta.org/living/food/accidentally-vegan/ (check labels though in case they've changed)
When eating out, I always specificy "no dairy/cheese/eggs/mayo" etc. dependingo on what it is I'm ordering. You can always say you are lactose intolerant. That makes them a bit more honest, cos you could sue them (God Bless America!).
In the US you can also ask for the allergen list as well as many chains have one. Then you can easily determine what's vegan or not. Also, check the websites of any might go to regularly. Here's a couple I know about from youtube.
http://www.subway.com/en-us/menunutrition/menu/~/media/9C781D304C254453AFB4B8633E9B9C6F.ashx
https://www.dennys.com/assets/files/Dennys-Allergen-Guide.pdf
Don't stress too much about your slip-ups. You're still learning and you're still trying. You're doing great!
EDIT:
Dark chocolate is usually your friend. Skip milk/white unless you buy them from some organic place/wholefoods and it says 'vegan'.
And if you're going to a restaurant (and you know in advance, like a birthday, work christmas party etc.) call ahead and speak to someone about vegan options. If there's nothing on the menu, the chef will prepare you something if s/he knows when you're coming. I've done this heaps of times and when I've spoken to the chef directly they are generally quite enthusiastic as they get to make something different. I've never had a bad vegan meal doing this.
I loved reading this journey! It reminded me of when I first went vegan almost 3 years ago. Eating out is definitely the most stressful part of being vegan. To help with that we will usually look up a restaurant ahead of time and over time you learn what things could potentially not be vegan. Then if we feel the need we will call ahead and see what options are available. French fries are usually our best friends at less vegan friendly places.
Mexican food is the hardest, they typically cook everything in lard or butter.
Honestly we avoid eating out for the most part anyways because we can make something that taste way better at home and save some money. However if there is a family gathering we will try to suggest more vegan friendly restaurants. 'Happy Cow' is a great app / website that helps you find those veg friendly places!
As for the bread choices, if your able to find a local real sourdough, it should be vegan.
I really dislike most frozen vegan pizzas, the "cheese" on them is usually pretty nasty IMO. We will occasionally make our our pizza with no cheese and just load it up with veggies. Or you could order a pizza from a pizza parlor and ask for no cheese. Just check that the sauce and crust is vegan. Sometimes they spread egg whites around the crust. Dominoes in Australia is now offering 3 vegan pizza options!
Check out Amys frozen dinners for a couple options and some ideas for meals. They also have a no cheese pizza!
I notice some people have a hard time eating enough food when they try going vegan. If they are used to eating processed foods and meat where the calories are super dense. I'd recommend checking out cronometer.com where you can input your food (it's super detailed and even has info for your shakeology :) and it will show you what your macros and micros are as you go through the day.
I look forward to the book review as I haven't got a chance to read that one yet!
Oh and almond breeze has an amazing dark chocolate almond milk that is to die for!
Ok I think this is a big enough wall of text :D
Thanks for sharing!
Thankfully there are more and more vegan restaurants opening up. My shakelogy is vegan and I made the switch from regular to vegan probably sub cautiously preparing for this challenge.
I like milk chocolate too much, but bravo to you—you're doing it <3
I really like those sweet potato chips you got there. I think for a first time vegan (even if it's only for a little while), you're doing an excellent job!
Thank you love! Do you like almond milk or soy? You can use that instead... Where there is a will there is a way, give it a try!
No prob Kubbs! <3 Oh! I like soy milk a lot, and it is pretty cheap here compared to dairy. I use it mostly in cooking (not pastries though), I'm gonna go pick one up at the store—there is a way! Thankies :D
Interesting what you are doing, I enjoyed reading it and and all the comments. I also loved @negativer's comment :-) I just read in the Bible this week about Vegan.
Romans 14:1-3 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. (NKJV)
Good luck for the week ahead!
THat is so encouraging, thank you so much!
Enjoyed reading your post. Although I’m not vegan, I love to see people taking an active role in their health bchoosing healthy foods. I also love people who are transparent and share their “oopsies”.
I’m going to share this quality post with our Buddy Up community in our discord server. Great job!
Wow, what an honor to have you not only read my post, but comment and share it. It’s really encouraging and I think very highly of you and your mission for health. Why aren’t you vegan? I haven’t done a great job of reading about your diet?
Well I haven’t posted anything about my diet. About six months ago, I came across a program called Nutritional Balancing. It is a multi-pronged approach to healing (nutrition, supplements, detox, meditation) using hair analysis to monitor nutritional imbalances. Its diet is a lot of veggies and a moderate amount of meat/eggs. The creator has his own opinions about vegan and doesn’t recommend it. I don’t know if I agree, but I decided to give his program a try. I’m improving very slowly so I plan to continue.
The reasons I never tried vegan in the past is purely fear. Fear that I couldn’t stick to it. I know it’s a terrible reason.
Not a terrible reason at all, but an honest one. Change is scary in general and I think that is what I love the most about you. You are so honest!
Wow. This is a lot of work, but I commend you for sticking with it. I would have lasted about 5 minutes.
I think that when you go out to eat, the trick is that you have to bring your own food. That way, you can go anywhere, and the other folks can actually have a good time eating their food, and you can just whip a salad and some Cuban bread out of your purse and everyone is happy!
😂 you’re hilarious... Also, it’s time to buy more chicken eggs. This vegan challenge has lead to a double overage. HELP!
Vegan aint easy but my sister is one and she makes some pretty amazing food, theres a salad type thing she makes with corn tomato red onion some type of lettuce and avocado and you throw it in a wrap or even eat it alone its fucking amazing. Though I wont tell her that because her head is too big already.
good job so far though, bound to make a few mistakes at the start. learning curve :)
Lol, I’m the same way with my brother sometimes. I won’t tell your sister that you told me that she’s awesome. Is she on steemit? Also, I thought you were vegan? You love animals.
nah she isnt and nah im not. I do doesnt mean i cant eat them lol
I’m so proud! :)
good to see you...
You saw me?
nice post..
You do comment often on my post I see. You don’t have too.