Dedication

I was so excited in the beginning of this journey to do something new and make a difference in my life but I have just let too many things get in my way.  I keep putting off working out or eating the way I want for one reason or another.  I have not had very good will power to stick to my convictions.  I was going to start a food diary to help myself and then I really slipped back into my previous habits.  I am starting fresh again, and that is alright because sometimes it takes a few tries to get something right.  I know I feel better when I don't overload myself with food and I know I can accomplish the goals I want.  I just need to put more work into it.  Little by little I will accomplish my goals.

Food Diary

Day 2

Breakfast

Green Tea
Banana

Lunch

1 1/2 cup Spicy black bean dip

Dinner

Here I go cheating again.  This one isn't as bad and it isn't vegan at all but it was only 684 calories which shouldn't put me over for the day.

Tuna sandwich from jimmy johns

(My husband is a bad influence)

Day 3

Breakfast

Orange Mango Juice (Naked)

Lately green tea has been making me nauseated so I decided to try something else this morning.  I try to stay away from juices because they are so full of sugar but this is a pure juice which is supposed to be good for me on some level.  I only had about a 1/3 of it.  It's too sweet to really finish the whole thing, so I guess that helps me save on calories.

I am also drinking plenty of water during the day, I am just not logging it here.  I know that isn't something I need to focus on.  I am more concerned about  my eating habits.

Lunch

TuNo mix on a whole grain muffin (unbleached/processed wheat) with tomato and cucumber slices
Green Tea

Dinner

Losing Weight

So after reading many different books about vegan eating, it says that weight should just melt away.  Well that isn't really happening for me.  It could be the amount of "cheating" that I have done or maybe there is a deeper problem.  I have completely cut out meat but cheese is one of my downfalls.  I have also eaten out a few times but overall I have cut my calories at least in half and I am not seeing any results.  So maybe if I keep a log of what I eat each day maybe that will make me more accountable.  I have also tried adding more workout time in, but that hasn't worked out so well.  I am determined so I know I can make this work.

So here is today's eating schedule:

Breakfast

Banana

Lunch

Green Tea
Steamed Broccoli/Kale
1 cup Brown Rice

Snack

Apple
Water

Dinner

Always a struggle for me. . .
I guess I will go with black bean dip, completely vegan and spicy, on a brown rice tortilla
half of a cucumber as well, just on the side

Slacking?

Switching your whole lifestyle takes a lot of work and can be trying.  I have felt like I have let myself down and that has been really hard.  Instead of jumping in head first, I should have slowly transitioned into this.  Eating strictly vegan can be very challenging.  Unless you want fruit or raw vegetables all the time, you definitely need to plan ahead and that isn't something I have gotten a complete hold on yet.  I love steaming veggies and my rice cooker but you can't steam ahead or you are losing vital nutrients.  I have also struggled with the fact that I haven't even dropped 5 pounds.  That is pretty disheartening when you completely change everything you were doing.  I understand there aren't immediate results but when you go from eating probably like 2000 calories a day or more of just junk and fattening crap to 1200 or less of vegetables and fruit, I would expect a little weight loss.  It has made me want to give up and I have had days where I just eat whatever because I am so defeated with the whole thing.  I don't feel like I have a lot of support either and not having someone eating the same with you makes it a bit difficult.  It gets daunting making two meals and then you have to have very strong will power to not want to give in to some of your favorite foods.

I love the benefits that come along with eating a more plant based diet, I just need to find my groove.  I need to find a way to ease into it and fight the cravings.  I am not sure if my body is actually craving these things or if just don't have the will power to not fill my mind with thoughts of what I think I am missing out on.  To find a happy balance would be such a blessing right now.

Steel Cut Oats

Well I gave these a shot twice and I don't think I will be eating them again.  I was trying to stick with a strictly  raw food diet for a week but these oats just have a texture I can't handle.  I soaked them in water, in my blender, with a handful of raisins overnight and then just blended it together with a half of an apple.  I added a cut up banana too for some more flavor instead of sweetener.  I am not sure what it is about them but they aren't for me.  I will just stick to regular oats or fresh fruit for breakfast from now on.

Not going as planned

I have really been struggling and jumped off of the wagon.  I was doing great at first, despite the high cost of gathering ingredients, but I still wasn't dropping any weight.  It was a bit discouraging to change my diet so drastically and reduce my calorie intake by at least half and not lose any weight.  I did have some cheat days with pizza here and there but I still felt that I was staying on track.  Then super bowl sunday came and it all went downhill from there.  I should have just stuck to making vegan treats, because there are some great dips and other appetizers that are awesome, but I am already afraid of my foods being rejected so I decided to just skip it and go with what everyone else was doing.  I need to be strong and have more will power.  I want to lose weight and be healthy and I need to stick to this choice.  Who cares if no one else understands it or likes it.  This is what I want and only I can make that happen.  Here is to a real fresh start and a new lifestyle.  No more cheating.

My husband made me a great spicy black bean dip and it is delicious alone or on a brown rice tortilla with a little salsa.  I will have to post the recipe and pictures soon.

TuNo Sandwich

So I tried a new recipe last night for dinner.  It would also make a great lunch or snack.  You have to prepare for this one a little because you will need to soak and cook your chickpeas, but once they are prepared you can make it and save the leftovers for the rest of the week.  You could also buy a can of chickpeas instead of buying them dry.  The recipe calls for kelp and it didn't specify what type, but after making it I am pretty sure you need it in a powder form.  I only had kelp leaves and I don't think it added any flavor or made a difference.  I also added cucumber to my sandwich for a little crunch and who doesn't love cucumbers on a sandwich!!!  Here is a picture of the finished product.

Ingredients:
15 oz of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 whole celery stalks
2 tbsp organic relish
1/2 tsp onion flakes
2 tsp Nutritional Yeast (found at whole foods)
1 tbsp organic soy sauce
2 tbsp Vegan mayo
1/2 tsp kel powder
Tomato slice
2 Cucumber slices
Whole Wheat English muffins or Wheat bread

Instructions


In a food processor, or large mixing bowl, mash the chickpeas until no whole beans are left.  Shred celery with a grater or in your food processor and add to chickpeas.  Add the relish, onion flakes, nutritional yeast, mayo and kelp powder.  Combine all ingredients.  You can add more pepper, mayo or kelp to taste.

You can build your sandwich with your tomato and cucumber slices.  You will have quite a bit left over, unless you are sharing.  It will keep good in the refrigerator for a week.  You can also omit the bread and just eat it with the veggies.  I really enjoyed this mixture.  You could also mix it up by adding chopped onions instead of the flakes.  There are so many variations you could incorporate with this.  The chickpeas make a very nice base.

Minor Frustrations

  So I'm a little frustrated tonight.  It takes a but of preparing to make pretty much anything unless I am sticking strictly to raw veggies and salad for dinner.  You can't really just throw something together, or maybe that is just because of my experience level.  I wanted to try a fun TuNo recipe tonight but you need cooked chickpeas.  Chickpeas, as well as most other beans, take about an hour or two to cook.  So then I thought I would try a white bean and avocado sandwich since I had the white beans pre-made. . . well they had gone bad.  I guess that means I need a little more planning and A LOT more research to keep transitioning to this lifestyle.  Sweet potato fries it will be!!!

Great Reference Site

I just came across this website that has so much helpful information from transitioning to recipes.


http://vegfamily.com/marilyn-peterson/how-much-food.htm

Coupons?!?!

It's easy to find coupons for your normal, everyday items but I really need some help or suggestions in finding coupons for items I can only find at Whole Foods.  I haven't checked their website but maybe that is where I should start looking.  They do sometimes have a buy one get one deal but I never leave spending under $50 and that is really starting to add up.  Not to mention vegetables don't really have a long shelf life.  I don't want to waste by buying to much and not using it fast enough but then again I feel like I am at the store every other day for something.  It's such a double edged sword.  Ahhh!!!  I know eventually I will find my niche and things will start to fall into an easier rhythm.

Back to the Basics

I fell off the wagon a bit this weekend.  Sometimes my cravings of years of eating the same things just take over. I feel awful because it's like starting at day one all over again.  So for breakfast, I started out simple with some grapefruit and caffeine free green tea.

I love grapefruit and how refreshing it makes me feel.  I think I will do a most raw fruit and vegetable week to cleanse my system out.  Hopefully that will put me back on track and I can commit myself to thirty days without a cheat.  I have a ton of wonderful recipes I still need to try.  Right now I am cooking some potato, corn chowder.  It smells delicious and I can't wait to try it.

Grocery Shopping

I hope I can get over the sticker shop of eating healthier.  It seems a little overwhelming when stocking up on the staple items for cooking and baking.  Every time I go to Whole Foods, for the special items I can't find at my local grocery store, I almost cry at the amount due.  I just have to have faith that it will all work out in the end and I will be a healthier, happier mama.

Vegan Pizza?

Pizza is one of my favorite foods and I just haven't been able to find anything quite as satisfying as the greasy, real cheese topped, far from vegan pizza.  Vegan cheese just doesn't melt and the texture is less than appetizing. I made a great pizza sauce but the end product was a complete fail.  I think I might give it one more go but omit the cheese and just have a variety of veggies.  If that doesn't work, I'm not sure I can give up my traditional pizza forever.

Upcoming Sunday Dinner

So for this weeks Sunday dinner I got salad.  Now I could just go with a traditional salad that wouldn't have everyone second guessing what's in it, but why be so boring.  There are so many fun twists to add to your traditional green garden salad and why should I have to eat something everyone else is "comfortable" with?  It's not like anyone is going out of their way to fix anything vegan friendly for me.  If I can't eat the main dish, which is lasagna this week, then why shouldn't I spice up the salad a little.

A Vegan Twist on Pasta Salad

This salad was so easy and tastes even better.  It has a peanut twist with the sauce and tempeh added in.  This is something even kids might love to try if you are easing them into a vegan lifestyle.  If you want to add even more color, just use a red bell pepper instead of a green one like I did.  I was expecting the pasta to have a weird texture since it is brown rice but I was pleasantly surprised.  This was a delicious dinner that you could easily substitute as a side or even take it to potluck.  No one would even know they were eating vegan!!!

4 tbsp. of sesame oil, divided (3 for cooking and 1 one the sauce)
1 8 oz. block of tempeh, broken up
1 large carrot, julienned
3 c. broccoli florets, cut into bite-size pieces
1 bell pepper, julienned
1 8oz. package of brown rice pasta spirals
3 tbsp. organic peanut butter
1/4 c. water
2 tbsp. organic soy sauce
1 tbsp. agave nectar
1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
2 tsp. minced ginger

Start your pasta and let it cook while you prepare the other ingredients.  Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over high heat.  Cook your tempeh until it is slightly crispy, about ten minutes.  If you have a steamer, steam your broccoli.  Once it is cooked, plunge it into a cold bath.  This will just enhance the color of your veggies.  Don't leave in longer than about 30 seconds.  Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Blanch the carrots and peppers until they turn bright in color, about 30 seconds.  In a small bowl, mix together the peanut butter, sesame oil, water, soy sauce, agave nectar, vinegar and ginger.  Toss the vegetables, pasta and sauce together.  Garnish with sesame seeds.

Blanching just means to give the vegetables a shock treatment.  You dunk them in the boiling water for about 30-45 seconds and then plunge them into the cold bath for another 30-45 seconds.

This recipe can also be found in the skinny bitch ultimate everyday cookbook.

Road Blocks

  So I have had a few struggles with going completely vegan.  Sometimes you just want an easy go to fast food meal or that favorite item that isn't vegan.  I need to take more time to build some inventory at home to make my favorite treats.  There are plenty of junk food products out there that are vegan, but I feel like that would defeat the whole purpose of trying to be healthier.  As a family, we were eating out a lot prior to me deciding to take control of my eating.  I think that is what is causing some of my struggles.  I am in the routine of grabbing a quick bite to eat and of course it is filled with all the delicious fats and sugars that drag you back in.  Another roadblock is that it feels time consuming to fix two meals, one for me and one for my family.  My kids are so scared of anything new, that even if it wasn't vegan, they would still question eating it.  The easiest route is to probably create a meal plan and stick to that religiously throughout each week.  After a few weeks it will be the new normal.

Struggling

  One of my main reasons to switch to this lifestyle is because I was struggling with controlling my eating and losing weight.  I only ate meat on occasion and dairy products didn't really make up much of my diet.  However, I did eat a lot of processed foods. I had tried weight watchers but I just haven't had the same dedication to it this go around and so I wasn't seeing results.  I think I still need to find my niche and what works for me with this lifestyle as well.  I thought I would lose weight a little quicker by changing my eating habits so drastically but boy have I been surprised.  It could be because I took a liking to the fresh juices by Naked before I got my juicer or maybe the vegan sweet treats that I have indulged in.  I think I need to get back to a more simple approach and start with raw fruits and veggies and then expand from there.  I also need to quit "cheating" on Sunday and just take my own separate meal to Sunday dinner.  It always makes me feel bad when I don't stick to what I have chosen for myself.  No need to feel guilt when I know I have the willpower to accomplish whatever I want.  Here's to a fresh start today!!!

Sweet Potato Cornbread

  So here is the cornbread I took to Sunday dinner.  I made two batches and for some reason the second one turned out nicer and more fluffy.  It could be that you have to be careful about not over-mixing ingredients.  It was a bit like a dessert cornbread but all in all I love the taste.  My first batch, which I omitted the sweetener, tasted more like your traditional corn bread without the sweet twist.

Preheat oven to 375 F

1 c. flour, all purpose unbleached              
1 tsp. baking powder                              
1/2 tsp. baking soda                                
1/2 tsp. sea salt                                        
1/8 tsp. allspice                                      
1/2 c. cornmeal
1 c. sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
4 tbsp. olive or grapeseed oil
1/4 c. sweetener, stevia or sugar in the raw
Egg replacer (to equal 2 eggs)
1/2 c. sour milk (soy milk + 1/2 tbsp vinegar)


In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and allspice.  Stir in the cornmeal.  Add the mashed sweet potatoes, oil, sweetener, egg replacer and sour milk.  Mix together gently just until combined.  Don't over mix.  Spoon into a lightly oiled square or round loaf pan and bake for 30 minutes.  You can test with a knife in the center to see if it is done.

Experimenting

   So we have a family dinner every Sunday with my husbands parents and siblings.  We all take turns making the main dish, a side and a dessert.  Of course I am going to choose something that is vegan.  I need at least one thing I can eat since all of the other stuff will either be meat or filled with sugars.  In the past I have always tried their new recipes but of course once they new mine was "vegan" it got a ridiculous label.  I don't preach my reasons for choosing this lifestyle but it isn't going to hurt them to just try what I make.  I made a sweet potato corn bread which I thought was delicious.  Sure it may not be what you are accustomed to but what's the harm in trying it.  I never asked you to convert.

   Eventually though a couple of them tried it and they discovered it wasn't "that bad".  I guess that's all I can ask for.  : D  I thought it was delicious and hopefully they will be more open to the things I bring instead of grilling me about what is in it or just turning their noses up at it.  Most of all the recipes I have tried have been amazing.  Some people just need to get past the vegan label.  If they don't, that's alright too.  I know I still like it and that's all that matters to me.

So Soy Smoothie

This is such an easy smoothie and it is so delicious!!! It's great for a breakfast on the run.




2 c. Soy milk

1 1/2 c. - 2 c. any fresh or frozen fruit

1 frozen banana (a fresh banana works just as good)




Blend and you have it.

Organizing My Kitchen

I feel like my kitchen is such a mess.  I need to get organized with all of my new ingredients and find a way to organize my vegetables in my fridge.  It is so packed right now and I am afraid stuff is going to go bad soon.  Ahhh. . . . 

Just Getting Started

I was having a hard time losing weight and sticking to anything so I decided to research vegan eating.  I found out a lot of information and it made me think about the way I was eating and treating my body.  I have never been a meat eater so that was a big shock to me, however eating no animal by products is a horse of a different color.  I started out with just raw fruits and vegetables.  I was starving the first couple of days but that was only because I was gorging myself previously with so many calories a day.  My eating was out of control.  Buying my rice cooker/steamer has been one of the best investments yet.  I love being able to just throw my veggies in and they are perfect every time.  It is so easy to just cut up my portions and they are ready to go when I am hungry.  Today I got a juicer and I can't wait to make my own fresh juice.  I have been drinking Naked juices the past week, but the benefits of fresh juice are going to be so much better.  I am really excited to see where this new lifestyle is going to take me.

Fresh Salsa

Making a fresh salsa is super simple.  You can use a food processor or just cut the ingredients and combine.

2 Tomatoes

2-3 Jalapenos, depending on your taste

1 Large onion

1/4 c. Cilantro

2 Cloves Garlic

Lime juice and salt to taste

Throw everything in a food processor and viola. . . fresh salsa

Spicy Black Bean Enchiladas

These were really delicious and had a nice spicy kick.  They didn't take too long to prepare and the fresh salsa was a nice compliment.

Makes 4 Servings

2 tbsp. Grapeseed oil
1/2 Onion chopped
1 Red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 tsp. Chili powder
1 tsp. Ground cumin
1/4 tsp. Red pepper flakes
2 15 oz. cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
2 Canned chipotle peppers
1 small tomato, cut in quarters
Salt and Pepper to taste
12 corn tortillas
1/2 c. Shredded vegan cheese
Fresh salsa

Preheat oven to 350F

In a medium sized pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat.  Add the onion and saute about 5 minutes.  Add the bell pepper and cook another 6 minutes.  Add the chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes and black beans.  Stir until all ingredients are combined.

Pour a little less than half of the bean mixture into a food processor.  Add the tomato and chipotle peppers and blend well.  This makes the black bean sauce.  Season with salt and pepper.

Heat the remaining oil.  Place one tortilla at a time in the pan and flip to warm both sides.  Just dip and flip as to not make the tortilla crunchy.

In a 13x9 inch baking dish, spread just enough of the black bean sauce to cover the bottom of the pan.  Fill each tortilla with the remaining black bean mixture.  Roll and fold the seam under and place seam-side down in the baking dish.  When all of the tortillas have been filled, pour the rest of the black bean sauce on top.  Cover with vegan cheese and bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cheese bubbles.

Garnish with cilantro.  Serve with a side of fresh salsa