Posted by Tim Vidra / Monday, December 27, 2010
Going Vegan but Not Going Hungry: A 12 Day Challenge
I am a carnivore, have been all my life - as a matter of fact when meeting a vegetarian I used to ask myself and others how can you only eat vegetables and in some cases fish or chicken? How can one get by without a hamburger or even better - a juicy steak?
Let's start with definitions:
- A vegetarian is a person who does not eat or does not believe in eating meat, fish, fowl, or, in some cases, any food derived from animals, such as eggs or cheese, but subsists on vegetables, fruits, nuts, grain, etc.
- A vegan is a person who refrains from using any animal product whatever for food, clothing, or any other purpose
Mary and I will ring in the New Year by taking on a 12 day vegan challenge as it relates to the diet of a vegan. This means no meat or by product (meat, dairy, or eggs). I will do my best to give you a daily snapshot of how this challenge is going with updates here on my blog and/or through tweets and twitpics (@timvidraeats). You may ask yourself, why? I am really wanting to see the challenges, hurdles, and hopefully advantages of a vegan diet.
The picture above you might say has been my first Aha moment of this challenge. In my preparation for this challenge and as much as I eat, cook and enjoy food I honestly had no clue what green flageolet beans were when I came across them at Wholefoods today. My bad and a recipe to follow during the challenge.
Those of you that know me well might think this is going to be a difficult challenge. You may be right but I vow not to go hungry!
I am certainly open for any advice, recipes, or suggestions from those who lead a vegan lifestyle.
E.A.T. local E.A.T. well E.A.T. your veggies
Awareness Cook Cooking Education Food and Related Products Vegan
What a great and healthy start to the new year!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many tasty and filling meals to eat on a vegan diet and I know you'll come up with some awesome dishes.
I have been a vegetarian for almost 20 years. I do it quietly because I love the carnivores I live with. I'm kidding! Seriously, I think it is a brave and challenging undertaking and will be easier than you may imagine.
ReplyDeleteI'm really interested in how you both feel about it in the end. No matter if you continue on not, you will feel lighter than air!
Need any tried and true recipes? Let me know.
xoSherry
Thanks all for the support. Any ideas and recipes would be great. I also have a couple of out of town business trips happening during the 12 days. That should be interesting and challenging.
ReplyDeleteE.A.T.
Tim, I think it's an admirable goal to take 12 days just be even more aware of what you eat - no matter what you're restricting or changing, so kudos to you. When I'm trying to limit animal-based protein in my diet, I tend to gravitate toward quinoa. 101 Cookbooks has a ton of great 'quinoa bowl' recipes that might interest and inspire you.
ReplyDeleteBon Chance!
Being the dairy addict that I am - I think this will be an interesting way to challenge ourselves in the new year.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how many words a blogger comment can be, but....dairy is why I am a vegetarian and not a vegan. I have tried from time to time to become vegan, but it only lasts a month. (cheese and greek yogurt are my downfalls)
ReplyDeleteI use almond milk in all my cooking and on my cereal. I've found it way better than rice or soy milk.
Sugar is not vegan. It is proccessed with charcoal made from animal bones. So in addition to staying away from table sugar, you cannot eat white bread, but you probably don't do that anyway.
We use brown rice syrup for cooking and agave syrup for pancakes or in coffee and tea.
Brown rice mochi comes in a cake at a health or whole foods store. You can grate it into soup or casseroles and it becomes creamy like cheese.
I'd be glad to send a few recipes too.
Buena Suerte! When you are hungry, and you will be, cereal, bananas and almond milk will be your friend!
xoSherry
Very informative Sherry Almond Milk check. Had no idea on the table sugar and yes white bread went with the kraft slices years ago.
ReplyDeleteThe brown rice mochi also is a new one we will have to try.
3 days and counting...I know you know what is on the menu Friday night. I am a carnivore....