It's not really a Hiatus...

It's been a while since I have posted anything here. I've not forgotten, and I have definitely not stepped permanently from the vegan path...I'm just still in the middle of moving.

I am VERY excited that soon the move will be over and my kitchen will once again be mine! I have so many new recipes to try! And I have promised Drew cup cakes once we are settled in. I have not decided on a flavor yet. But they will be super special new home cupcakes!

I did make Drew a vegan cheesecake for his Birthday at the beginning of this month. It actually turned out quite good! My little brother had 3 pieces, suddenly no longer caring that it was not "real" cheesecake. Drew loved it, which was the most important thing since it was for him.
While I was pleased with the lightness of it, and the taste - the texture left something to be desired. It was a bit...liquidy.
So once my kitchen is mine again - I'll have to experiment some more with that as well. I'm sure Drew and my brother won't mind though.

Moving Along...

Trying to remain vegan while in the middle of a move is turning out to be almost impossible for me. I am a little disappointed in myself. I can't help but think that if I had just planned ahead a bit better I would have no problems eating vegan while moving. While I have been able to stay fairly vegetarian. I seem to have completely lost my way with my vegan eating right now.
Moving is a very stressful time - I am a stress eater - I admit I need my comfort foods right now, and one of them is cheese. Plus, when your oven is gone and fridge can't be restocked, you end up eating out ALOT...and restaurants with vegan choices are few and far between. It's just so very easy to fall into the food trap when you are thinking about many other things.

But, have no fear, I have made a plan. I will be getting back on track again, and back to eating the way that makes me feel best inside and out. I just needed to take some time to work it all out, and today is the first day I have really had that time.
I have mapped out my emergency food places that allow me some vegan options, and a few nice relaxing food places with vegan options.
I will stock my Mom's fridge with all my tofu and other yummi vegan essentials and I simply will not give into the call of my comfort foods - I've resisted them just fine up until this point.

Moving is hard work. Moving and trying to stay vegan requires a bit of planning ahead of time so you don't end up spending a week eating bad things and feeling like crud.

Lesson learned!

I am excited to report that the place I am moving to has 3 awesome stores to shop at for all my vegan eating needs. But that is a blog for another day...

Birthday Party - Vegan Style

I managed to pull off a 100% vegan Birthday party! YEY!
The greatest part is, all my non-vegan friends loved ( I mean LOVED) the food!
I really thought it would be tricky to do, but it wasn't at all! I am so excited and encouraged by this. Not only were people pleased with the food, but when they found out it was vegan they weren't suddenly turned off, if anything they were more intrigued. I'm just tickled =)

The only thing that would have been even better is if the frosting had been homemade. After I had two disasters with the frosting for my cupcakes my mom went to the store and bought me some. They were still yummi...just not AS yummi.

Pictures of the cupcake cake coming soon =)

Oh What's a Birthday Girl to Do?

So...

My Birthday is coming up. And if I want a Birthday cake I have to spend the day baking it myself. Kinda sad.
I didn't want to have to worry about it.
I could get a cake from Whole Foods, but they make only one kind of vegan cake, it's not really what I want, and it would be $50. The Publix people looked at me like I had three heads when I asked if they can make a cake with no egg or dairy... *sigh*

Makes me think that a vegan bakery really is a great idea. What do vegan children do for their Birthdays if their parents don't bake? What about vegan brides???

I'm a little upset at the world right now...I just want a yummi cake for my Birthday...is that really too much to ask?

The Junk Food Trap

(On my last post I mentioned changing where I post all this...but I really don't know where else to post so here I will stay for now)

I have fallen into the horrible trap of vegan junk. Sadness.
The shocking thing about that is that I am still, albeit slowly, losing weight. But since I would like to lose more than 1 or 2 lbs a month AND this is also about overall health...junk food is BAD!
It's just so much easier to not cook, or not have to clean the kitchen. They make it so easy with the processed yummi fake meat goodness and the fake cheese, and oriental flavored raman (yup it's vegan), and 1 minute rice...*sigh*

I have all these wonderful cookbooks with amazing recipes to try. I wish I had a cooking buddy. That would be alot of fun I think.
I have suggested to my mom that we get together one or two days a week and cook lots of yummi things so we have some left overs for the week. She loved the idea. But right now she's in Germany, so until she gets back...more quick and painless junk food.

I have cooked a few things lately, but if it hasn't been some kind of bakedgood (yey sugar!) it's been "what can I make that will cook super fast and go with these fabulous spring rolls?" (yey fried food!)

It's really not easy being a lazy vegan, but I somehow seem to manage it just fine. Isn't that sad?
I know I just need to get over myself, get my butt in that kitchen and cook stuff....maybe I should start with breakfast...

The Vegan Blues

Getting back on track has been a little harder than I thought it would be. I hit a major slump.

I really don't know what happened. One minute I am super excited and truly enjoying being vegan. The next minute it all seems too hard and pointless. I really wish I had someone to talk to about it all. I feel so alone sometimes, even though I know there are a bunch of vegans out there...I don't know any of them.

I just started reading a book called "Vegan Freak: Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan World" It's really great so far! I also got a bunch of fun vegan cookbooks.
I'm not going to let the vegan blues stop me from doing something wonderful for myself and for the furry critters.

It's just hard sometimes.

2 Months down, a Lifetime to go

I floundered a little towards the end of this last month. But I am back on track and going strong. Drew even made me a special breakfast this morning to mark the 2 month occasion. Isn't he sweet?
My resolve is definitely reaffirmed and I'm excited again.
It's a difficult change sure, but a wonderful one with benefits that far out way any of the downsides. I was beating myself up a bit about not being perfect. But I realized, especially since this is not a diet for me, it is a whole lifestyle change, it's ok to make mistakes. It's ok to not be perfect all the time.
What a freeing realization that was!

So Happy 2 months to me! =)

A Fall From Grace

Sure I realize no one is perfect. But I try so hard to be.
I had a few times when I made the decision to eat something non-vegan. It was planned and I was prepared for the consequences...

But to just do it on a whim...a hungry who cares what i eat whats the point anyways whim...not good.

I had read this article about soy actually not being good for you. Once I had time to research I saw that any article claiming soy is bad was funded by the meat and dairy people. Of course, any article claiming soy is wonderful is funded by the veggie people. There is no where to go to find truly unbiased information.
I was disheartened to say the least. So I ate bad things. And I seriously questioned if going vegan was even worth it. I felt like I'm not even very good at this whole vegan thing...I LIKE meat and cheese...I dream about it still sometimes...

I'm feeling much better now. I am back on track with the good veganness. I've decided it really doesn't matter what article says what and who funded it. All that matters is how I feel. And I had been feeling so amazing when I was doing everything right. And of course i still dream about meat and cheese. I gave it up not too long ago, and no one is perfect, it's going to take time to get it out of my system. But I love being vegan. I love the food. I love the fact that I don't have to feel guilty about hurting ANYTHING when I eat. I love how much going vegan has changed me and the day to day doldrums...

So I'm dusting myself off and getting back up on my vegan cloud 9 as excited as ever to be there.

Viva la Soy!!!

How does a vegan get food poisoning?

So Wednesday my mom took me to Crispers for a salad. They have a few items that can be ordered w/out meat and cheese and are still amazingly yummi. My favorite is...no...WAS the Thai (Chicken) Salad ...no chicken for me of course.

So halfway through the salad I start to feel a little sick, but I finished eating it anyways. This have gotten progressively worse since then...
Well, I have food poisoning!!! How on earth did this happen!?
The smell of tomatoes especially makes me want to gag.
I now have to go on a completely liquid diet...bleh.
Thank goodness it's very mild and not like that time a few years ago when I got food poisoning from cream, that was a disaster!

But I am still quite baffled about how this happened. Drew thinks it was probably a cross contamination problem. Some bad meat or cheese came in contact with my good yummi veggies.
Sadly, I will probably never be able to eat at Crispers again. 1 less place to go.

I guess you really can't trust the safety of your food unless you prepare it yourself...lesson learned!!!

I so baked stuff!

Here are the photos!

The Green Tea Cupcakes for Mother's Day are from 'Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World' I Can't wait to try out more recipes!!! These were amazingly delicious! And so cute!

This is our anniversary cake. It is a Mexican chocolate cake from a recipe I found on about.com and altered a bit, with vegan 'buttercream' frosting from the wonderful cupcake book. I made the 'D' and hearts out of marzipan, and sugared some flowers from my garden (that was a blast!). I was originally going to make a rather large and fancy tiered cake with Fondant. But I decided to keep it small and simple. Drew had the idea of still doing little tiers by putting half the batter in one shaped pan and half in another. I really need to find different sized pans. But I think the cake turned out really cute and man was it ever delicious!!!

I made chocolate covered strawberries as well, but they were gobbled up before I could get a picture of them. Drew said I'll just have to make more.

I have decided I really enjoy baking and giving people yummi little goodies. It's so much fun, and really, who doesn't love a gift that's sweet and tasty?

Loving the Change

Very soon I'll have some pictures posted from some of the things I have baked for Mother's Day and my 1yr Anniversary. I'm actually quite proud of myself - They turned out wonderfully delicious, and better yet, I finally followed through on my ideas!

It seems going vegan has done so much more for me than improve my health and help me lose weight (down 2 sizes now by the way!)
It was helped me actually DO things! I am excited again. Excited about cooking, baking, making things, living life!

I think there really is something to the whole philosophical viewpoint of "you are what you eat". I was eating death and pain and horror...and felt awful - Now I am eating health and life and I feel so wonderful!

I love being vegan! Absolutely love it! I think Drew is actually starting to love it too! =)

Yummi Dandelion Discoveries

Part of the fun of any new lifestyle is discovering new and yummi things.
I have recently discovered vegetarian chili that is actually GOOD, vegan fluffer-nutters that are better than the real thing (and WAY healthier too!), a vegan parfait that tastes like one of my favorite desserts in Germany, the most awesome tea ever brewed, and super duper friendly people. Thank you Dandelion Communitea Cafe!!!

Happy tummi - happy heart =)

Friendship

Some friends make changes more difficult...some friends don't care at all...but some friends not only respect the changes you make, they are excited about them!
I love those friends.
Some were people I expected to support my decisions, some came as a total surprise...
I am so thankful for all of them.

A cheesey mishap

I had some cheese today...and then almost hurled.
And no it wasn't a slip up or a moment of weakness...I just thought I'd cheer up my two favorite people, who I was sure were starting to hate me. And I even briefly considered pulling the cheese off of my sandwich...but then I thought "oh what the hell...it's just a little cheese...and I so love cheese..." Bad idea.

So...unless it's super gourmet imported unpasteurized so expensive i can almost hear my bank account go into the red cheese...I'm not eating it...ever! And even then it'll be very rarely, and in very very very small amounts.

My poor heart. I do love cheese oh so very much. But then, I also love not puking.

Vegan girl at a non-vegan gathering

I attended my first social gathering as a vegan yesterday. It's awfully hard to resist the smell of cookies and meat when you still have cravings from time to time. But I did.
I was able to have some of the salad my mom brought and some fruit...that was about it, and I was starving. Next time I need to make sure to bring something I can eat. or make sure there will be something there that doesn't have meat or cheese in it...and if it's another Joy/Jen gathering...maybe Jen will make those cupcakes she mentioned that I am drooling just thinking about...mmmmm....

So I learned something new - when going to a gathering it is definitely important to ask your friends A. if they would not mind providing something you can eat (if it's not a potluck) and/or B. if you can bring something of your own (or two....or three somethings).

Not that I go to very many parties...then again...there have been many pregnancies, or baby tryings all around me, so attending a baby shower is no doubt in my near future...which leads me to the question...what exactly do you do when attending a wedding? Just not eat? Bring snacks and eat them in secret when no one is looking? Things to ponder...

Oh god! And no cake!!! Unless they let ME make the cake...mmmm....yummi cake and money for me... Yes that's right, I can decorate cakes!

Good-bye fat pants!

So...all other reasons to be vegan aside...Oh my god! The weight loss is fantastic. In less than 1 month I have lost 12lbs. And I feel wonderful! My skin looks amazing, the part of my hair that isn't completely destroyed from perming then straightening is all shiny and soft...being vegan rocks!
I still have a long way to go in the weight loss department, but I think in about a week I can officially say farewell to the largest sized pants I have ever owned. Right now I can pull them off without even unbuttoning. Good bye fat pants!!! And good riddance!!!

Fish or no fish?

Today I ate a prawn...1 prawn. It wasn't as good as I remember them being...
I was having a debate with my mom about whether or not to eat fish...Not exactly vegan to eat fish...but certainly better than eating beef and chicken and pork...not to mention it allows a bit more flexibility when dining out or with friends...
Drew and I came to the conclusion that on those rare occasions we do go out, eating a creature from the sea would be ok...
But I'm really not sure. I like fish...as in I think they are cute and I could watch them for hours...and I often wonder what it would be like to be a fish...I think fish farming is sad...they don't get to experience the colors and wonders of the sea...just a big glass box. Sadness...

But I don't really have anyone to talk to about this...if I talk to any hard-core vegans, of course the answer would be "NO FISH!"
Who do I talk to? Who can give me advice and then allow me to make my own decision...Fish or no fish???

Yummi Vegan Cookies

So I baked today. And without supervision! Trust me this is a big deal...
I made cherry almond chocolate chip cookies that I found on the Vegan Chef website - oh man are they delicious!!!

First vegan baked goods - total success! Yey! =)

My Very First Vegan Rant

It's strange to be a vegan in a non-vegan world. I watch commercials on TV now...for Milk and weight loss (HA!) meat meat meat..."healthy" foods, snacks for children...and I am appalled!
Our entire society is built on "Milk does a body good" and "MEAT GOOD EAT MEAT!!!" Partially hydrogenated is something on just about every label and no one looks...it's poison...and it never ever leaves your body...ever...EVER!
And I never wanted to be one of those Kooky people. A weirdo spouting out the goodness and rightness that is veganism...but seriously people...do some research...LEARN about what you are putting in your body! It is sad and gross and horrible and so very unhealthy! If with that knowledge you CHOOSE to keep your same habits, so be it, that is your prerogative...BUT
I am tired of the funny looks I am getting from people...I should be giving YOU funny looks! *I* am not eating grossness and death. *I* am not the one putting poison in my body without even knowing it...*I* am not the one who is trying to get thin by eating things that make me fat by their very nature...
So, stop looking at me like I am crazy.

Poor misunderstood vegans...I will no longer call you weirdos...the rest of the world has gone mad...and you are quite possibly the only sane-ish ones left...

Feelin' Good

It has now officially been two weeks...and I am feeling wonderful! I have so much more energy and it's still alot of fun finding new yummi things to eat. I have also lost 10lbs. yey!
Today we tricked Drew's dad into eating a completely vegan meal - we told him half way through the meal that the food was meatless and he was very surprised. It was great fun! =)

These 2 weeks have been really great - with just a few difficult times - like trying to eat vegan at Disney's Magical Kingdom - not an easy task at all! My mom is even coming around and not thinking I've completely lost my mind...infact...she might go vegan too!

My next goal is to start baking. This has always been a challenge for me, and now trying to do it all vegan - this will definitely be interesting. At least I won't have to worry about forgetting to add the butter...or the eggs. =)

Garden Cafe

Today is our 11month anniversary, so we decided to go out to an all veggie restaurant. Oh my god there are simply no words for how wonderful the food was! I am even more excited now. We can't go out all the time of course, but to know that we CAN go out and really enjoy it is just wonderful. =)

The First Week

As of yesterday, we made it through our first week. YEY!

I am feeling wonderful! I have alot more energy and I have lost some weight. Woohoo!
This morning I had my first soy milk coffee. It was actually very yummi! It's not something I can have alot, because of sugarness, but as a treat it's great.

We went to Disney today, and I was almost perfect. I did have a teeny bit of goat cheese with my salad...it was so good, and I don't feel too guilty about it either. Of course, I don't plan on having any more cheese for a long while. I really want to do this Vegan thing right...
ok...so maybe I do feel a little bit guilty about the goat cheese...

A Cookout - Veganized

Yesterday Drew and I went to a friend's house. We had decided on fire-roasted potatoes for dinner, so Drew and I bought some vegan potato condiments. We also got some vegan beer brats for cooking over the flame.
I was a little worried that Drew would have some issues with not being able to have the "real" stuff that our friends were eating. He's been having a tricky time with the transition, mostly because he's doing it more for me.
But both of us were very pleasantly surprised to find that the stuff all tasted awesome!!! I mean really really really good!!!
of course it helped that fire-roasted potatoes are the bombdiggity (yes i said it...)

I am hoping this experience will help Drew be a little more excited and feel less deprived of his meat. I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful husband who would be willing to do something like this with me...I just want him to have fun with it like I have been.

The Noddle Mystery Solved

Apparently I am a bit of a dunce.
I told my mom about the confusing noodles. She said "Silly Sandi, if it doesn't have egg in it it's vegan, they don't have to SAY it's vegan, that would be like saying carrots are vegan"

....oh

Day 1 - The Great Noodle Hunt

Today is my first day going vegan. So far the food trials have been delicious. Two things recommended to me - Follow Your Heart "cheese" and Tofurky deli slices - were so yummi! Drew and I tried some soy jerky as well...not bad at all!
I was utterly baffled at the store today though. I was trying to find noodles for the meatless meatball stuff I bought. I'm not sure if I'm just totally dumb, or if the noodle world has gone mad, or what...but I couldn't find anything Vegan. The ingredients seemed vegan, but none of the noodles said they were vegan...shouldn't they? I'm just confused...and noddle-less.

Me = Vegan

I suppose I should begin by explaining why I have decided to become a Vegan. Especially since those who know me best know I adore cheese, and while I do apologize to my meat before I eat it...I love to eat it...
For years I have been toying with the idea of becoming a vegetarian. Being vegan never even occured to me since I figured vegans were insane people. I mean no milk or eggs or CHEESE!? Crazy!
I never did become vegetarian (at least not for very long) because I love meat so much, and while I knew animals were mistreated...I never knew the extent. Also, eating healthy is seriously expensive.
Fast forward to last week. I read a book called "Skinny Bitch" - a wonderful kick you in the balls kind of book. Even if everything in there is only half true - that's good enough for me! I won't go into detail here, if you want to know do some research or read that awesome book. But I am not sure I'll ever be able to eat meat again...
So one big reason for me to go vegan is animals...I love them...and I have finally come to realize I love them more than I love eating meat. Besides, I have recently discovered many many many fun "meatless" options that are quite tasty.
Another HUGE reason for me is health. I am fat.
No really..I am! I don't want to be any more. I want to be hot and sexy...or as is mentioned that cool book I read - a Skinny Bitch! I also have an ulcer, headaches, depression...etc. You are what you eat...
Eating tons of veggies and fruits and whole wheat stuff, and cutting out the crap just sounds like a good idea. Besides, I have always said...if you want drastic changes, you need to make a drastic change. Think about it.

My mom thinks I've lost my mind. My husband is wonderfully supportive and by default being vegan with me. Some of my friends are worried about me, others think it's the best 'wacky' idea I've come up with yet.
I am excited!
I think it will be so much fun to try new foods. Sure some will suck, but since I get to share the experience with someone, that will be part of the fun. Drew & I love food adventures!

So, after a week of research, planning, and of course shopping...here I go!