Going vegan.

Please excuse the hiatus. I've been so busy with other things that I haven't made time for this blog. I need to make more time! That's all it is. No excuses.

Do you eat unhealthy? Are you trying to lose weight? Trying to eat more balanced? Why not try going vegan for a while?!

Some misconceptions about being vegan:

What can you eat--lettuce?? Contrary to what some believe, you can eat far more than lettuce. As a matter of fact, I don't really even like lettuce and I've been vegan for years! I eat lots of salads but they're usually made with spinach. See the blog links posted to the right for various vegan recipes/info. Also try Googling "vegan" or "vegan recipes." You will find so much.

Tofu is so mushy. I would never eat it. If you learn how to properly drain and cook tofu, it doesn't always have to be mushy! You can drain it and pan fry it or, for a healthier option, bake it. You will find it's much drier this way.

But I like chocolate. Sure, you have to miss out on MILK chocolate but there are countless vegan dark chocolates available. Watch out though because often the name brands you are used to eating probably contain milkfat, even in their dark chocolate varieties. There are certainly a number that do not. You can find them at Target, health food stores, Publix, etc.

How do you get protein? When I used to eat meat, I didn't like it all that much so I definitely get more protein now that I'm vegan than I ever did when I ate meat. You can get protein from nuts, tofu, tempeh, seitan, soy milk, beans, grains, vegetables, fruits, etc.

But I like ice cream. So far I've yet to find a substitute for Twistee Treat but, aside from that, there are some tasty vegan ice creams. Check your local grocery stores and health food stores! You will be surprised. *Note, this isn't exactly healthy... but an entire pint of vegan ice cream is never as caloric as, say, an entire pint of that oh-so-good-yet-so-fattening Ben 'n Jerry's.

Bread and pasta are vegan but won't I be fat if I eat too much? Probably. So don't! Try to choose light breads. Whole grains breads. Limit the amount of pasta you eat. As a matter of fact, limit your portion sizes. Try eating out of baby dishes and with baby silverware. It will force you to eat slower, you'll get full faster and then you will eventually shed some pounds.

What about eating out? This can be a challenge, especially depending on how extreme you take being vegan. There are some vegans who will not eat off the same grill or plate that meat was cooked/served on. If this is what you turn into, eat at home or at an all-vegan place. There are numerous websites and iPhone apps that can point you in the direction to the nearest vegan eateries. Additionally, you should try Thai, Vietnamese and Indian restaurants because you will find there are plenty of vegan-friendly options at these places. And, you can always get a salad minus the chicken or steak. Most restaurants offer something like that. If you know that a bread is vegan you can also get a chicken sandwich without chicken, a BLT without bacon, etc. You just have to get creative.

I'm not here to preach vegan. But I get sick of people who put down all vegans or who immediately associate veganism with lack of protein and being sickly. Not the case.

Another big thing is the price factor. I hear many people complain about how expensive it is to be vegan. Also not the case. Sure, if you buy processed foods--frozen vegan meats, vegan cookies from the store, organic everything, and you eat out at vegan eateries daily, then you'll probably find cost to be an issue.

If, however, you learn to cook your own vegan meals and you make your bean burgers from scratch (quick and simple, by the way), bake your own vegan cookies, buy your fruits and veggies at a farmers market, and look for sales, you will find that you are able to accommodate your diet to be vegan-friendly.

If you live near a Publix, stop in right now for the almond milk. It's on sale: 2 for $5. Give it a whirl.

Lastly, I would like to share some of my favorite vegan cookbooks with you. Check them out if you need some ideas.

La Dolce Vegan, by Sarah Kramer
How It All Vegan, by Sarah Kramer and Tanya Barnard
Vegan with a Vengeance, by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
The Joy of Cooking, by Irma Rombauer and Marion Becker



Many of those books have informative introductions that cover vegan basics and teach you all about substitutes. That last one is not vegan, but once you learn how to be a vegan cook you can easily--or sometimes with a challenge--veganize a variety of recipes.

Now go give vegan a try!

*Pictured are some random things I've baked/cooked from scratch. Not all super healthy of course, but definitely healthier than non-vegan versions. I never use any mixes and I typically don't work with prepared foods. It's a fun challenge!