One month with no cheese.

I started this journey on 2/1/10 and it's now 2/22/10 and I've been doing this for three full weeks. Entering my fourth week - I am happy to say that my Safeway has started carrying Gardein - it's the chicken that's not chicken. It's really good and low fat, etc. It is the same price as Whole Foods as well - which is good.

In case you have a spreadsheet - I've lost 8 lbs so far. I'm pretty happy with that.

Three cheers for Almond Milk

Giving up milk was not too hard for me. I have always loved milk but as long as there are adequate substitutes, it was fine. I found something really good - Almond Milk! I think it's new - at least the carton says it is - but it's from Blue Diamond and it's very creamy and smooth. I love it on ceral (Life, Cap'n Crunch) or in my coffee.

Yeah for Almond Milk!

Cuties R 4 Kids!

I am at the tail end of week three of this obedience journey. It has been really good for me - as I've wanted to give up several times, but somehow, the strength to continue goes on! It's weird.

I've been on a Cutie kick - you know the little California mandarin oranges.Today I ate four at one sitting. This is huge for me because I normally do NOT like fruit...so, Cuties have me wrapped around their juicy orange shell!

I purchased some homemade Vegan, Oreo type cookies on Etsy - and they are delish! I am happy to have these little sweets to help curb the lack of cheese & chicken.

My favorite thing by far is the spicy "chicken" from Boca. I mentioned before that I'm worried about my carb intake, and still am a bit worried. It has gone up of course because I can eat rice, pasta and most breads.

The journey continues!

Swing and a Miss by the Naked Baby

For those of us without - V-day sucks. Tonight, though...my family is indulging my Vegan lifestyle and we're all going to the Teapot Vegetarian Restaurant in Redmond. It's 100% vegan and their menu looks really good!

I am thankful for my family and happy that tomorrow is a holiday - and not Valentine's Day.

a first of many

Last night was not a good night. I had a sweet potato for dinner and thought that was enough. Half way through Fergie's agility class my blood sugar dropped and I got the cold sweats and shakes. So I left early and went to Burger King for a large diet coke and (wait for it...) some french fries. At this point I didn't care if the fries were fried in animal oil...I needed something down my gullet!

I waited about 10 minutes and started to feel better. I didn't plan well. I usually have nuts or something in my purse but had ran out. I felt guilty but also felt like my body was screaming for food and I had to do whatever I could.

Note to self...a sweet potato for dinner is NOT enough.

And...we move forward.

Go-to foods

I've found that I have to keep some go-to foods around in case of cravings. These include my sourdough bread, peanut butter and granola bars. It also helps if what I fix for lunch/dinner is disgusting...these are my go-to foods. I must have these around or else I think I'll feel desperate and want to cheat. So far though, I've not wanted to cheat - and everything I've prepared thus far has been awesome. Really...

I found tempeh at Whole Foods that I really love. It's a different kind of soy bean protein that is really good when "fried" up crispy.

Week #1

Week one is in the books. I am celebrating by eating spaghetti with TVP - first time - but I am looking forward to a new taste experience! I am down 3 pounds too. That's what I get for not eating cheese for a week!

I think some butter may have snuck into the week - at certain times. But, like my mom says, I will let grace fill in the blanks.

Thanks for following along.

First night out...

Last night we had a Girl's Night at North Bend Bar & Grill. It was my fourth day of Veganism and my first time out to eat. I ordered the veggie burger with no cheese or mayo but with mustard and grilled onions.

I think they grilled the onions in butter and was pretty sure that they put butter on the bun. I felt bad after eating it...but like the bff and sister said - I made the best choice possible.

I told my mom about it and she had one of the best lines ever..."Do what you can and grace will fill in the rest..."

I love that!
Thanks mom, sister and BFF for the help!

Day three down

And on the third day...

So far so good. I am a person of routine and once I get a routine down, I'm pretty happy. This eating plan has been pretty routine. It has also been pretty tasty. I have used ingredients that I've never cooked with before as well as spices. I made tofu chili yesterday and it was really good.

Tonight...collard greens - Brazillian Style!