So...Wait...Where Are You Taking Me??

So one of my circle is gluten free, trying to eat better, and has a family chock full of interesting allergies and dietary business going on. So she says to me...."Wanna go to the Co-op at lunch?"  Uh...never been there. I have heard about it. Never actually experienced it. So what the hell, I'm in! Katherine, who shares a hallway with me, says "Yay!!! Lets go to the Co-op!!" Yay, we're going to the Co-op. So we jump in the Prius, and head to the Co-op...As we are driving I think to myself  "How this has happened to me?" I truly have no idea. I'm Vegan, I'm in a Prius, heading to a Co-op. Just 70-ish short days ago, I was in a cross-over, driving to All-You-Can-Eat-Rib-Night. Oh how things have changed.   I have a picture in my mind of how this is gonna go. I expect to walk through the door to find a ton of expensive organic fruits and veggies, and the smell of patchouli in the air, men in running shorts, and women in Birkenstocks with no make-up on. So...I get there and walk in and...and there is a ton of expensive fruit and veggies, and the smell of patchouli in the air. And the lady in the Birkenstocks asks me if she can help me find anything. So that was nice. I say hello to the nice man in the running shorts, who is eyeing the ridiculously expensive produce. It was a truly interesting experience. They have a ton of vegan items. So, that was cool.  I ended up buying my vegan butter (Earth Balance, I opted for the olive oil one this time), some meatless sausage to put in my spaghetti for dinner, some vegan meatballs, to put into future spaghetti, a box of cereal, after all, there is a chance I will run out soon since there are only 5 boxes of assorted vegan cereals on top of my fridge right at this very moment, and a $4 vegan cookie because no price is too high when it says right there on the package "Vegan, Oatmeal and raisin cookie, with cream fluff filling". Well, hello beautiful! I'm full from lunch, but I will still finish you off, because you are vegan and full of cream fluff filling. Oh, little cookie, I will definitely go back, definitely.

I'm BACK

I have been crazy busy at work, and just have a ton of stuff going on. I am happy, happy, happy to report...I am still vegan! I'm right about 70ish days in. I have learned so much about myself, and food, and people in these last 70ish days.

I have learned how to order at Taco Bell. I know, not exactly "healthy" but it does come in handy to know that if I am out and about, or just need to grab something quickly, I can. Here is what I order; "Crunchwrap, substitute beans for meat, no cheese, no sour cream, add potatoes and (sometimes) guacamole". Freaking fabulous. I can also order a 7 layer burrito, no cheese or sour cream, or a bean burrito, no cheese, no red sauce (no onions because I don't like them on my burrito). I have been welcomed with "Uh, so just beans in a tortilla?" Yep.

I have learned that I have incredibly supportive and loving friends and family. I have not had one eye-roll (that I have seen). And anytime anyone see's something vegan, learns of a new place for me to eat, or reads something about veganism, they report it to me. I love that.

I have learned that my husband has no problem eating my vegan food. He eats his non-vegan food, then eats my vegan food. Nothing has changed in that respect.

I have learned I truly did not care about cheese as much as I thought I did. Seriously. I don't miss it at all. Thankfully, avocados are vegan, because I would have a problem giving those up.

I have learned that smoothies are far more of a hassle then I am willing to put up with, therefore, I have had exactly two since becoming vegan.

I have learned that if you eat everything that you discover is vegan, you will end up gaining about 50 lbs. Just because it's vegan, doesn't mean it's okay to eat it whenever you want. Please refer to my statement on how to order a Crunchwrap at Taco Bell, and OMG...I can only go to a vegan bakery like once a month. Seriously.

I have learned to scan a label so incredibly quickly for something non-vegan that it's like a super power. Casein, Whey, Lecithin....no, no, nope.

So there it is, what has been going on in my vegan world for the last month.  I will write more and post some food pics soon.