How I did it: To become a healthy vegan, it's really important to get back into the kitchen and cook. I had to learn all about different kinds of beans and how to prepare them. I learned about all these great grains. Quinoa is my friend! At first, I was trying to use more vegan fake meats and tofu. But with something like seitan (a wheat based fake meat), while it could be tasty, nutritionally I just didn't see the point so much. I'd much rather make a pot of lentils and rice. My boyfriend who has been a vegan for years really helped by making wonderful soups and dishes that really hit the spot. Instead of my regular a.m. yogurt I drank kombucha for the healthy stomach flora.

In the end, I tried it for 30 days but it's not for me. I'm just not that passionate about eliminating all animal products from my diet. I'm ok with eggs and cheese. I craved fresh mozzarella. And a good slice of real pizza. And that works for me.

Lessons & tips: Be prepared at work. Bring in your own food when you can. Don't be embarrassed  to ask questions in restaurants. Let friends and family know what you're up to. Never be preachy or dogmatic about your eating decisions, just explain politely when needed.

Resources: A super satisfying sweet tooth fix for me was the No-Cookie cookie in Ginger. Chewy, yummy and easy to find (at Whole Foods). http://www.nocookie.com/

There are great recipes online. I used a lot of apple cider vinegar mixed with soy milk in baked goods such as corn bread with great success.
http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/index.php?RecipeID=39

Quinoa is fantastic. Though hard to find, they make quinoa flakes that are good as a morning alternative to oatmeal. Not that oatmeal is bad, it's just that quinoa is a complete protein and has the highest protein content of any grain.
http://www.quinoa.net/

And I loved cooking lentils and rice. It's easy to make, really yummy and nutritious.
http://www.recipezaar.com/Mujadrah-Lentils-and-Rice-141796

---

Sep 08, 12:36PM PDT | 0 comments | 9 cheers