Trying a vegan diet isn't as easy as I thought.

August 1, 2016

  August?! WHAT?! Anyways...

  Yes, I've been transitioning into a vegan diet. It's more like a cleanse, but nonetheless, no animal products until I figure out what's going on with me. I started this once I got back from Chicago (see previous post), and it's not as hard as I thought it was going to be. The cheese and yogurt have been a little difficult, yes, but I haven't been missing or craving meat all that much. One of the two problems I'm having is the balance of the amount I eat throughout the day.

 I eat too light for breakfast and lunch, then when I get home for dinner, I eat something light, eat again, eat AGAIN... it just doesn't end well, to say the least. This difficult aspect of my eating can be corrected if I just let myself eat more in the morning and afternoon on days I work out in the morning. The other problem with this diet... eating in social settings.

  While I was transitioning into the strict no-eating-animal-products diet, I went to a few parties and out to lunch/dinner with friends and family. MY SISTER VISITED OHIO AND LOVED IT! :) I just had to say that before I forgot. She and I went out to eat just a little too much, but she enjoyed all the food she ate, and she was also satisfied with the local brewery we went to Saturday night. There were many opportunities for me to eat within my guidelines, but once we got to the Rib and Jazz Fest, I couldn't even eat beans since every vendor cooked their beans with pork. I was not about to pay four bucks for a plain corn on the cob! Chipotle, to the rescue! Fact: if you get a veggie burrito/bowl/salad/taco, your guac is a part of the meal. no extra charge!

  Just this past weekend, I went to a teenage birthday party. Served for lunch: hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni salad, green beans, potato hash something-or-other, deviled eggs, baked beans with bacon, and a variety of flavored potato chips. Dessert: ice cream and a Blink 182-decorated cake. Of course, I only ate the green beans even though it was cooked with margarine. The small amount isn't worth the hassle, so I ate it. I usually don't eat cake or ice cream anyways, but it was still a little awkward to stand there with nothing compared to everyone indulging.

  Whether I am vegan or not, I normally wouldn't eat most of what was served. My most recent diet wouldn't call for me eating those foods. Something I don't understand is how people don't have more raw veggies as a part of a complete meal. I mean, a bowl of mixed veggies to serve as a salad isn't a typical thing I see at friend and family gatherings, here or in Illinois. Why isn't that a thing? It's also easy to replace a potato hash or macaroni salad with brown rice or quinoa, right?

  By no means do I go around acting like I'm better than anyone else because of my eating choices. As Amy Poehler taught me: I can acknowledge what other people do or believe, but it's just not something that I like or have in my life. "Good for you, not for me." We are all different and want to do what we want for pleasure or entertainment and whatnot. I also don't want people to think they'll have to cater to my restrictions. Even though I believe veggies should be the biggest portion on the plate (to be honest, though, it really SHOULD be), I'm not going to request an additional option be prepared. You do you, and I'll adjust.

  So, I've had to suffer through the awkward explaining and sitting with a near-empty plate. I know going through those moments are going to be worth it in the end. I can't expect results if I don't stick to it. I know I'm not the only one who has had to encounter this, so it's easier for me to remind myself this is possible and worth it.