Well . . .

There were two recipes I wanted to try that contained some semblance of actual food, rather than baked goods. I couldn't find all of the blender pieces to try one, and I couldn't find the most important ingredient for the other. The annoying part is that I had the ingredient in the closet at some point within reasonable memory. I think I tossed it because I said, "I'm never going to use this shit". Of course.

As of now, I haven't had any dairy or egg products. I can't say I've been eating especially healthy though. I started with some Runts Freckled Eggs (ironic, I know) and um, well, I had some pretzels and stone ground 7 grain crackers. I've also had some green tea, and I'm hoping it will work as an appetite suppressant like it's supposed to, so I don't go nuts and eat something (else) stupid. I've had nothing substantial to eat today, and it's really getting on my nerves.

I thought reading the cookbook and then gathering ingredients would be a better idea than blindly purchasing things, but apparently not when I have to wait until tonight to go to the grocery store. *sigh*

OK, well I made it through the day eating vegan. I also made it to the grocery store, but not the one that carries my lost ingredient. Oh well. At least now I have some fruit and olives and pumpkin seeds. Eating pretzels and candy really didn't make me too happy. Instead of losing weight, I'll gain it if I keep eating crap like that. Next time I go to the store, I swear I'll bring a list. I got all kinds of vinegars, broths, and little add ins, but, um, still nothing meal wise. I just might be clinically considered an idiot.

Vegan Start(?)

I decided to eat the things I already had in the house that contained dairy and eggs that I really liked (frozen pizza, whole grain blueberry pancakes) yesterday and then go from there. My reasoning was that it would be easier without those things around the house. I decided I'd start my vegan diet today.

I went to the bookstore and looked at some vegan cookbooks. I found several recipes in Veganomicon that I liked, so I just sucked it up and bought it at the bookstore price. I bought some peanuts, which, again, I shouldn't have in the house with my son, but, eh, . . . I settled in to read the book, eating some peanuts. It was then that I remembered that peanuts are not my friend anymore either. My itchy throat reminded me pretty quickly that I was an idiot. Benadryl is wonderful.

I found fewer recipes that I think I will use than I would have liked, but I did find some, so that's good. Apparently I will forever be omitting garlic, onions, and peppers from any recipe I find. I also have to omit nuts, and probably should omit soy. That doesn't leave a whole lot to work with in the book, but, again, a few things that sounded excellent, so I guess it's worth it.

The Benadryl knocked me out before I could go pee, so I woke up at 4AM. Then I remembered that I had also purchased a Cadbury Caramel Egg for a final time. So I decided that it didn't technically count as today until I wanted to get out of bed, and ate it, further solidifying my idiot status. Then I figured since I had that, I may as well have a coconut marshmallow while I was at it.

I've been doing well since re-awaking though-- mostly because I haven't actually eaten anything yet.

Going Vegan

I am planning to cut meat, dairy, and eggs out of my diet. I've been toying with the idea of vegetarianism for years, but always concluded that I don't like enough food other than meat. Now I'm calling "bullshit" on myself. Just because I hate onions, garlic, and peppers doesn't mean I can't eat vegetarian food. I can find recipes. I can create recipes. I have the time to do so. I'm not working. I don't have a car. What better way to spend your day than by doing something for yourself?

I never really considered going all out vegan before. I have cut out dairy to lose weight, but that was pretty much the extent of my feelings on it. Occasionally when I thought about dairy and eggs too much, I made myself queasy. The thoughts were fleeting. Often the thought of meat made me queasy, but I was, frankly, too lazy to do anything about it.

What changed?
I read a book.

No, it wasn't a "propaganda" book. It was a book on food science called On Food and Cooking:The Science and Lore of the Kitchen by Harold McGee. I've enjoyed Cook's Illustrated products for awhile now, and my favorite part has always been the science and methodology behind the recipes. I've been reading a lot lately and the cost was getting ridiculous. (no, the library is not an option) Then I saw the huge volume by McGee. I figured it would take a lot longer to read than the novels I was blowing through in a sitting. I was right.

I've only made it through the first two chapters so far. They cover dairy and eggs. The scientific explanations and reasons for why we use these products grossed me out completely. I thought about these foods in ways that I had only briefly considered. Reading about it confirmed that queasy feeling. Now I know that the reasons I vaguely disliked these products were founded.

The scientific, non-biased approach to the subjects affected me more than any biased reporting ever could have. I knew he wasn't trying to make me come to these conclusions, yet I came to them. That has a huge impact on me. I haven't even gotten to the meat section yet. That's next. I have no doubt that it will make me more than queasy.

I already tried to buy only free range / organic, local if possible, products. I knew about some of the ideals that were being broken in spirit, if not legally, regarding these products. I no longer think that is enough for me.

So I'll keep reading my book, and I'll figure out ways to eat "normal" things that are vegan. I think it will work. If it doesn't, well, at least I will have found some new, healthy foods to add to my diet. That can't be a bad thing.