"Got Any Cheese?"

09.03.14

How could I not title this post with an Urkel quote?! 

You guys... I was vegan for 4 1/2 days. (Can we round it up to 5 so I seem less of a wimp?) FIVE DAYS. No way in hell I was going to last 21 without cheese! It was worth a shot, right?

I did learn a few things for the 5 days that I went vegan. I didn't realize before that a lot of what I had previously ate was already vegan. Also, I didn't realize how much I would miss cheese. Yes, I know it was only 5 days. But to be honest, my body didn't feel different cutting out dairy and other animal by-products. 

I felt like I was constantly telling myself "Nope. You can't have that." Let me tell you, that is nooooo fun. And for someone who comes from very strong French and Italian cultures, food should be fun. 

Don't get me wrong, I ate some very delicious meals and it inspired me to get creative and excited about the food I was eating. I also noticed that I was eating much bigger quantities of fruit than before - bananas in the morning, grapes in the afternoon, strawberries at night, etc. After buying soy milk and adding it to my coffee, I much prefer it over regular skim milk - it's creamier, sweeter, and has double the calcium! It's good to try new things with food, recognize preferences, and make healthy swaps for ingredients and snacks. 

One thing that really set me back was dessert. I really wanted cookies or cupcakes or ANYTHING. On Day 1 of being vegan, I was offered cupcakes on TWO separate occasions! Do you have any idea how difficult it was for me to pass TWICE on cupcakes?!? I have the biggest sweet tooth. 

I've found a few vegan dessert recipes that I want to make at some point. But there is nothing in this world like the intoxicating smell of melted butter and sugar. 


Breakfast:

• Acai Bowls: almond milk, frozen acai concentrate, Kashi cereal, sliced banana, and chia seeds

Recipes courtesy of Fitnessista

• Cereal (my favorite is Kashi GoLean Crisp Toasted Berry Crumble) with soy milk
• Oatmeal (with chia seeds and sliced banana)
• Smoothie: orange juice, banana, frozen organic strawberries, and chia seeds
• Whole wheat toast with peanut butter, sliced bananas, and a sprinkle of cinnamon

Lunch:

• Bean salad: either Mediterranean or Mexican flavored
• Avocado sandwich on whole wheat toast
• Hummus sandwich with tomatoes, sprouts, etc.

Dinner:

• BIG Salad (Seinfeld style): fresh romaine and spinach mix, red pepper, tomatoes, onion, avocado, carrots, chopped walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette
• Garlic quinoa and brown rice mix, edamame, garbanzo beans, tomato, and white onion

• Enriched pasta with tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil
• Amy's Soups - so many delicious vegan options and a very convenient meal

This whole ordeal was an experiment to see how different my body would feel and how difficult it would be. Turns out, I have little to no willpower. I could feel myself getting cranky without cheese in my life!

Instead of denying myself the life's simple pleasures like cheese, I'm trying new foods and loving it! Salmon? Check. Catfish? Check.

I have no complaints - I really am living in the perfect city to really indulge and enjoy good food!