Dec 30

Prepping for Veganuary

I’ve been reading about the Veganuary challenge on twitter, and instagram, and after my crappy December, I think this will get me back in line. It’s pretty simple, you pledge to be a vegan for the entire month of January, and that’s that.

Now I’ve tried to go vegan before, and I only made it a week, so I’m seriously hoping that I can make it through the month. I was thinking back on why I wasn’t successful on the first go, and it came down to a few things:

  • I was HUNGRY all the flipping time
  • I hadn’t meal planned for my meals, and then I lost motivation to cook (um Breakfast)
  • I’m lazy, and I have too many dirty dishes in my life
  • I hadn’t stockpiled the kitchen at all
  • I give into my cravings way too easliy (i.e. all things CHEESE)

So this week, I’m working on all of those problem areas.

Let’s start with menu planning. I plan lunch and dinner for the family monthly. I quickly realized that I didn’t plan for my meals too. I would just use whatever I had on hand, and that becomes a problem. While I was menu planning, I paid careful attention to what sides I could veganize, and carry-over for my meals. I’m going to try and sneak in more fresh foods for myself, and maybe introduce the family to vegan dishes too.

Stocking the house:

First I took stock of everything that I already had in the house that was vegan. I cleared off a shelf in the kitchen, and made it my vegan shelf. I was surprised by what I already had hanging out in the kitchen. I made a list of what I needed for about the first week (or so) and Agnes and I headed out to shop.

We went to three stores, and I looked for vegan items everywhere. I scanned all of the labels, and picked up a bunch of stuff to have on hand.

You’ll notice a lot of snacks… I’m a bad snacker, or more of a grazer. I love snack foods way too much, and I think this is going to be where I struggle the most.

I took it to twitter and instagram.

I tweeted about me wanting to join the Veganuary movement, and bam! Ideas, motivation, and even shopping advice popped up. I post my meals on instagram as often as I can, and then here comes more motivation, and helpful tips, and friendly advice from vegans all across the globe.  It’s cool to have a community to reach out to, and get some very helpful advice. I also love looking at all of the amazing vegan dishes that other happy vegans are enjoying.

I started weaning myself off a few days in advance. Like the 28th to be exact.

One of the mistakes that I made the first time was I was a vegetarian trying to go vegan, and I did it cold-tofurkey. This time I’m starting off a little at a time. I’m still finishing off the amazing dairy-filled yogurt that is in my fridge, but then I’m eating vegan meals for lunch and dinner. This has been much easier, and I haven’t had all of those crazy cravings (so far).

So what am I hoping to get out of this?

To get rid of these…

That’s right. I am horribly allergic to all things that involve DAIRY! I have to take two to four of these beauties every time I eat anything that is dairy, and I know that isn’t good for me. I mean I’m already allergic to it, why should I be eating it?!? I’m also allergic to eggs, cloves, and nutmeg.

Also I’m exhausted all of the time. December it became really bad, maybe it was just stress, but I think all of the awful things that I was eating didn’t help matters at all. I’m hoping that I’ll have a bit more energy, and feel better too.

I’m hoping to learn to eat better, cook new foods, and even get my family to try a few of them. I know that they could benefit from some more fruits and veggies too.

So wish me luck, or if you are feeling full of veggies, jump on in and take the challenge too. Happy Veganuary everyone! Cheers! (with carrots and celery)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dec 28

Veguary

In December I decided to flex my flexitarian wings, and eat Chicken, Turkey, and even Pork… I also ate all of the junk food that filtered into the house through Christmas. I abandoned my menu planning, and pretty much ate what my family was eating, with the exception of red meat. I ate take-out, fried chicken from the new deli, everything that I possible could with cheese, and you know what?!? I feel like crap!!!!!

I am disappointed with myself because all of that progress that I made as a vegetarian was wiped out in a matter of days. Physically, I’m achy, lethargic, unable to sleep at night, but I can sleep all day, my skin is itchy and dry, and I just feel physically awful. My depression is terrible too, I have zero motivation to do anything, and no energy to start anything. IT STINKS!!!

I’ve been reading about the vegan challenge for January, and I want to give it a try. I only made it a week vegan, and I stopped because I was just too hungry all the time. This time though I’m motivated to get myself feeling better, and I’m going to plan out my months meals before hand.

Today I’m starting by cleaning out the fridge, freezer, and pantry, and taking inventory of everything vegan that I have on hand already. I think that will help me start my meal planning. I’m also thinking of vegan snacks that I can have ready, because I’m a bit of a grazer. I think that is going to be the trickiest part of all.

I’ll be posting how this goes, and I hope to have some success in January. I know I need to do better, I can’t keep feeling like this.

 

Dec 27

Strange December

This month has been a long month, but it has gone by way too quickly. With the kids home, and James home, I’m behind on everything, the house is mess, but I’m just wiped out. I’ve skipped menu planning for the month, and I haven’t been sticking to my vegetarianism. That might explain why I feel so crappy.

I think I’m just going to try to get it back together in January.

Dec 26

The Day After

I’m happy that Christmas is over… I know it sounds mean, grinch-like, and not so friendly, but I’m really glad that it is. Yesterday began way too early (3:00 a.m.), and I was completely drained before 6:00 a.m., the kids were melting down before lunch was ready, and we still had family to entertain. The house was a complete mess, the kids were exhausted and had way too much sugar, even us grown-ups were cranky and moody. I was ready to take off my mask of Christmas cheer, and call it a night.

Now, there are a few things that I do like about Christmas. I love spending time with my family, and hanging out with my little nieces. I love making favorite dishes for my family. I also love the lights, and simple decorations. What I’m not a fan of is the competitive shopping, competetive present giving, and filling the void with stuff. I have a lot of issues with consumerism in general, and Christmas is just overwhelming. I’m sad that we have gotten so far away from everything that truly is important, and we spend our time shopping, returning, and all of that other nonsense.

Today, I woke up, still sore and tired, but felt a little better. All of the stresses of being perfect and hostessing duties were finished, and I was ready to get the house back together. I’ve spent the morning diffusing tantrums, and taking out the trash. The house is slowly coming back together, and I hope my mind will soon follow.