LifeIsAShadow

I put my hummus on the coffee table next to the cheese platter, and although I was SO tempted at one point, after everyone had gone into the dining room to eat (and I was passing through the living room, alone) I didn’t eat ANY cheese! I also turned down a well-intentioned offer of what can only be described as an “AMAZING” sweet potato casserole…vegetarian, yes, but with an egg thrown in to “puff it up.” I was so proud of myself (esp. since it smelled like heaven and cinnamon)!

My boyfriend’s mother also – get this – pulled aside some of the potatoes and mashed them plain for me (she offered to use the soymilk my bf and I had gotten, but I luckily caught her before she did, and pointed out that it was Silk Nog, and that would have tasted a bit…odd). I filled up on delicious vegan two potato soup, then had a plate of the plain potatoes, tabouli, baked asparagus and veg. cranberry sauce! When all the delicous desserts came out, I refrained (good for veganness, and good for my waistline!) and instead enjoyed everyone’s company and a cup of tea!

I feel fantastic, and I think this is the beginning of no more cheating!! My soul feels warm and fuzzy :)

I’ve been “vegan” for two years now, and veg for almost 5. I am usually very strict with myself, but for some reason, when I’m with my boyfriend and his family, at his house, I am more likely to compromise myself and have a “taste” of cheese. It’s rarely ever anything else (NEVER meat!! Just dairy, or bread products that must have egg in them). I read labels and won’t eat anything with animal products, lactose, anything like that. I guess it’s just harder when the thing I miss the most since I went vegan is cheese, and my boyfriend is a cheese FIEND (I might add, so was I in my ovo-lacto veg days and before that).

I’m doing my darndest this year by making sure there is hummus on the coffee table next to the cheese platter, so I can enjoy some crackers before dinner, too. I’m also bringing my own food so I don’t “give in” and do things like have some mashed potatoes even though I know there’s butter and milk in them (not that I did exactly that last year or anything).

My boyfriend’s mother is so understanding about my veggieness and tries to find recipes I can enjoy (as she is an AMAZING cook), but being the only non-omnivore present attracts attention, scrutiny, and pressure. I vow to hold my own this year and stand up firmly for my beliefs!

Find something that keeps your hands busy!! I used to be online all the time, using one hand to operate the mouse, and the other was in my mouth, getting all its nails chomped off to the quick! This was something that was on my new years resolutions list for over 15 years. When I started knitting constantly, it almost became impossible to bite my nails as often, since you need both hands to knit!!

It takes a long time, though. And beware when the weather gets dry and you start getting dry skin around those nails, and your nails start peeling. I still will chew off a hangnail if I don’t have clippers or scissors near! So keep clippers nearby, use hand cream before you go to bed (even better…get those gloves that you wear overnight to moisturize your hands AND keep them out of your mouth as you’re falling asleep!).

Don’t get discouraged! I happened to catch Dr. Drew last week talking about addictions, and he said it’s more difficult to stop biting your nails than it is to GIVE UP HEROIN. That’s powerful. And if you can do this, imagine how empowering that will be that you conquered something that difficult!!

GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY!!!

PS – nail biting creams and polishes don’t work. you’ll keep biting your nails and have a nasty taste in your mouth AND nasty breath! Better to distract your hands than make them gross.

Oh, and check out my pic – I actually have NAILS!!