sassy veggie newbie

A Very Vegan Thanksgiving

2009-11-24T18:00:00.000-08:00

Soooo, since I will the only person in my family not partaking in a dead bird, I shopped at Whole Foods and The Farm to make sure I am full on Thanksgiving. A girl still has to stuff herself silly, right?

My menu will consist of all the sides, but tweaked so that they are vegan, and mostly gluten and soy free. I did buy some soy Silk nog, because seriously? I can't get through the holidays without that rummed up nog with nutmeg on top. Ohhh yeah. Mashed potatoes will have rice milk and soy free earth balance. I will have a nuked sweet potato with cinnamon instead of the casserole which has butter and animal bone marshmallows (they were out of vegan ones at WF today - booooooo.) Butternut squash made with e.b., peas/onions, green beans w/garlic, a small portion of stuffing since there is wheat in it, salad, and I'm going to make some gf/vegan choco chip cookies. That should do it, and not send me too over the edge. I've had to detox the past couple of days after drinking and eating fried pickles this weekend, whups!

I am going to adopt a turkey tonight, to protest the slaughter of these poor birds. I know its tradition, but they didn't have a turkey at the first thanksgiving, so I won't have any at mine. I am thankful for so many things this year. My family, friends, animals I've helped, ending the clinical trial, meeting a great guy, and my health. I'll be working even harder in 2010!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

challenges and motivation

2009-11-11T17:09:00.000-08:00

I think the first week went...okay. I was successful in cutting out the soy and I do have to say that I am much less snotty this week. Gluten was a little tough, I made lentil soup at my brothers and effed it up by adding a quinoa-orzo-couscous mix. As soon as I dumped it in the pot I was like SHIT! So I ate it, not wanting to waste it. The sugar was another toughie as I ate some vegan chocolate and vegan coconut cake this week, but at least no refined sugar. I had beer and some pita, but otherwise cut way down. I did have a glass of wine, so that messed me up a little I think. I need much more water!! I have been pretty good about the morning detox of water and lemon, but gotta have much more before dinnertime.

I really want to start on my raw diet but I can't afford a VitaMix or juicer yet, which is essential. I'll get there though! I am excited to learn about how to eat raw and reverse some of my dis-ease. I went shopping last night and it took so long to read all the labels, but I was able to counsel my friend on my new healthy food knowlege, while searching Market Basket for gluten/soy free and vegan. Not an easy feat - Whole Foods is MUCH easier to navigate.

I finally have all my essential vitamins and supplements: One a day, DHA (omega-3), Calcium, and Vitamin D-3. All vegan, which was tough to find - so many contain gelatin - yuck!

gluten, soy, and sugar free, day one

2009-11-04T17:13:00.000-08:00

Ironic that today is my four year anniversary of being diagnosed with the canSer beastie, and it being my first day of going "free". I had a little trouble with breakfast, but overall today went pretty well! I went to Spring Brook Farm and the natural food store in Groton (since I am babysitting at my brother's for the next 3 days) to get some things, but am still really glad Trader's and Whole Foods are each 10-15 mintues away from me at home - lucky girl I am!

Breaking it down:

Breakfast - Pumpkin flax granola (a bit too sugary but haven't gotten a cereal yet) with almond milk

Lunch - Salad with cukes, summer squash, avocado, red leaf lettuce, red onion

Snack - Hummus with tomatoes and carrots

Dinner - Lentil soup (homeade) w/ kale, celery, carrots, quinoa, couscous, red onion

YUM!

breaking point

2009-11-03T21:16:00.000-08:00

I have been sleeping with my mouth wide open for 3 weeks now. GROSS. I can't breathe because there is so much mucous in my head that even doing the neti pot 3 times a day isn't clearing it out. Know why? Cause the allergy attack I have been having all this time may not just be from ragweed as I had first thought. I am learning about internal allergies more and more. I didn't think I was allergic to soy, until I talked to my friend today who is also a doctor. She advised me to cut the gluten, soy, and sugar out until I can identify what is and has been making me nuts all these years. Cutting out dairy has definitely helped, but I want to feel even better. I want the fatigue to go away, all the snot, and aches that are caused by inflammation. So it has to start from what I'm putting in.

Luckily I hadn't grocery shopped in a good while, so there wasn't much to chuck out. The soy ice cream sandwiches had to go, as well as the Morningstar Farms products. They are full of soy, gluten, sugar, and gmo's. Well, they are made by Kellogg's after all, so I guess I should have looked more closely at the ingredients. Bye soy milk, hello almond milk. Goodbye pasta, hello quinoa. Peanut butter will be replaced by almond butter, sugar replaced with agave. My goal is to have optimal health, and if this is what needs to be done, then I'm ready. I have been vegan for almost a year, but I'm ready for the next step which is to push for raw. I still will have soups and pasta and the like, but will incorporate a high volume of raw (which is *I think* under 105 degrees) foods. I've had raw at a couple of restaurants and it is damn good. I can't wait to do some shopping tomorrow! I am going to finish my cucumber water and go to bed.

food, incorporated

2009-06-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

“The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men.” - Alice Walker

We should make every effort to break bad cultural habits... namely, that of eating animals. When people say “but we’ve been eating meat for thousands of years” tell them that just because we’ve been doing something bad or oppressive for a long time doesn’t justify our continuing to do it. Slave ownership was something that was present for years too...

I've been thinking a lot more about food...how toxic most food is in the U.S. Coincidentally, a new movie just came out, Food, Inc., which shows where most of the foods that wind up in supermarkets really come from. For years, I have done my own investigating, watching and reading horrible accounts of slaughterhouse practices, how pretty much everything we see in the markets is presented in such a way that we grow up thinking that this is normal and good for us. What if we had to pick up our meat at the slaughterhouse? Would people think twice about that ground beef or pork chop? How about the honey baked ham or rotisserie chicken that is smothered in BBQ sauce? Would you still eat it if you saw its feathers being ripped out, its head chopped off?

When I was little, I never knew the pink stuff that got all over the shelves and shopping cart was actual blood...how sticky and smelly it was, but thought that it was just "juice" or "drippings". How good I thought milk tasted...only to find out it is loaded with pus and mucous and that the cows that it came from are injected with hormones so they keep producing. I'm injected with hormone supressing drugs every month and I know how crappy it makes ME feel...but its MY choice to be on this clinical trial.

So many people tell me that meat just tastes too good to give up...and I used to think they were right.

factory farming is piggy.

2009-05-11T19:41:00.000-07:00

what's grosser than gross? animals squeezed into small spaces so that companies can get more bang for the buck.

growing up, i never knew what meat really was, let alone where it came from. i wish i had known years ago - maybe if i did i would have chosen not to eat it back then. it took years of weaning off meat and learning that i didn't HAVE to have animal protein - that veggie, nut, grain, fruit, bean, and soy protiens carry just as much amino acids.

i used to think vegans/veggies were weirdo hippies - how could anyone give up chicken soup? isn't it for the soul? easy when you learn where that meat really comes from....and do some real soul searching.

Spring = Back to blogging

2009-04-23T16:59:00.000-07:00

Yep. Its been a looooooooooooooong winter. My nephew was born, I got laid off. Started finding a lot of old friends on Facebook. Had to deal with Unemployment, making sure I have insurance, and enough money to pay my bills. Lots of paperwork and scared my severance would run out before the unemployment checks started coming in.

During the switching of gears, I found I had more time to shop and cook, which turned out to be a really good thing. I was still having gastric issues (leftover from years ago) and thought more natural foods would be a good place to start really finding out why after eating I was bloated and had "popcorn" stomach. I loved Trader's instantly, even though they of course don't have everythinggg. Now between that and Market Basket (with an occasional trip to Whole Foods), I was starting to find a lot of different foods.

Now, I had entertained going full vegan a while back, but not even being a full veggie, I had to slowly wean off all the animal products. I had actually started buying cruelty and animal free household products before I stopped eating meat. I started doing more and more research on dairy and was realllly grossed out. My conscience started eating away at me, as well as knowing that dairy was a huge problem with me being lactose intolerance. But what to do about protein? No meat, and no dairy? I already was off ice cream, yogurt, and milk, but eggs and cheese too? Could I really do that?

Okay. I have slipped a few times on the cheese when I go to restaurants, but other than that, I've been dairy free since New Year's. I didn't consciously make a resolution to stop eating it, but to at least try to. I have found so many other things to eat, and different things that I wouldn't have even tried. I'm on more veggie/vegan websites looking for recipies, and I know I have a long way to go in learning but I am on my way!

And I am no longer crazily bloated and hearing my stomach make awful digestion noises. And I can look Footie and Clem in the face and feel good about not eating any of their cousins. Now if I could just find an easy veggie diet for them...

Woo!

New stuff I've tried:

Veggie Dogs
Trader Joe's Veggie Meats (chicken and beef strips)
Trader's Banana Gluten free waffles
Trader's cheeseless pizza
Veggie cheese slices
Smart Balance Organic olive oil spread (vegan!)

the night before the 3 year milestone

2008-11-03T18:18:00.000-08:00

tomorrow will be not only one of the most historic days in politics, but in my life too. three years ago i got the phone call that changed my life in many, many ways. i think back to that friday night, and somehow it doesn't seem real still. how my life took a drastic turn, a train derailed. but i am thankful and grateful of all that i have been through because I have learned SO much. I never would have known who I am or known all my new friends, reconnected with family, gotten a new job. That day has led me down this new path for a reason.
i have been so busy since i moved that i haven't felt like writing all this time. things are going really well though, i'm settling in to my new place nicely and finally feel at home. its weird how long its been since i felt that way...

i gave up on going gluten free for now, but i have cut down a lot. a trader joe's opened up on rte 1 which has been awesome, and i do most of my shopping there now. i have so far successfully been a veggie girl for three whole months now! im trying new recepies, and while i don't feel all that different yet physically, mentally i know that i am hurting animals less. i would eventually like to go vegan so that i don't depend on any animal products, but its hard to give up cheese! the rest is easier...yogurt, milk and ice cream have all been replaced by soy products. i'm eating a lot more lentils, veggies, and make sure that i add fruit to my many bowls of cereal. :) i have bought some veggie broth to try to make some soup soon, although a small part of me will miss homemade chicken soup this winter!

but i see it this way - if i wouldn't eat my cat, i'm not going to eat any other animal either. what makes it different? packaging. can you imagine kitty nuggets? doggie chops? hamster salad sandwiches? me neither. so no more meat for me. ew.

all moved in

2008-08-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

i am sweating soooo bad right now! 5 hours of moving, plus boarding my baby kitties for the day at the vets, and renting a truck was a lot of work. but so worth it cause it went really smoothly, i saved money, and i am DONE!! im on the 3rd floor of an apt bldg. and i really don't have to work out for the rest of the weekend, ha ha. Eating has been weird, mostly take out greek salads and cereal, but its so hot that all i really want is watermelon. i wonder what living alone will be like? i've never done it before and am really excited to have my own place! wow. big big change for me. everyone in the bldg ive met so far has been really nice. there seems to be a lot of young people here and many have cats so thats cool. moms and bro are 5 mins away, and the bus is right across the street. sweet! i can't wait to unpack. i wish i had some energy left, but if i can find my toothbrush, a towel and soap ill be happy :)

moving!

2008-07-30T16:35:00.001-07:00

welp, i've been packing for my move on friday, and i am really pooped out. i have been doing better with the veggie aspect than trying to stay raw and wheat free, but one step at a time. i did have scallops last night, not sure if that isn't included in being a veggie. there are no eyes, so are they alive like plants or are they in the fish category? hmm. anyway, i'll be offline for a bit until i get my cable up and running (or if i have a few minutes at lunch). i've been doing a lot of grab n go things since i don't want to shop, and at our marketing offsite the past 2 days i did have a couple of croissants. time for a yummy millet rice cereal snack.

peas out!

computers are good/bad

2008-07-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

I'm still at work because we had computer problems today and it was really hard to get work done. I like when no one is around so I can think. Today was pretty good food-wise, I even met a friend for lunch and brought whatever leftover stuff from my fridge with me and made a pretty good meal. I definitely need to increase my water intake though, I notice a lot that my water bottle isn't getting filled as much as it should.

Breakfast - yogurt and an apple with peanut butter

Lunch - carrots and cukes with hummus, some strawberries

Snack - oatmeal (nature's gate organic is yummy and no wheat/gluten in the variety pack except the raisin one which I gave away.

Dinner - planning on brown rice and veggies with tofu.

I gave my Annie's cheddar bunnies away, boooo ;)

the newbie

2008-07-21T18:02:00.000-07:00

DIARY OF A WANNABE GOTTA BE VEGGIE GIRL

This is my first blog...yes it is 2008, ha ha. I have always been working towards being a veggie girl, but to be honest have been quite lazy about actually comitting to it. So this past weekend, as I worked on packing to move to my first big girl apartment (no one but me and my kitty babies) I stopped thinking and started doing.

Not having a lot of food in the house because you are moving is a good time to start fresh. My life has been in a tailspin since I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma - IDC (thats boob cancer for the lay person) in November of 2005. Not wanting to kick the bucket just then, I had surgery, chemo, radiation, and reconstruction, then dealt with being diagnosed with Lupus just one month before the cancer. I was married, but my slimey husband decided that I was no fun since I was bald and sick from chemo, and decided to find someone else to make him "smile" as he put it. Little did I know he was cheating until I started channeling Veronica Mars. He got the house and the tramp, I got my 401K and my freedom. I left 2 dogs behind, which tears at me daily, but took the kitties (having lymph nodes taken out meant I can't handle more than 10lbs, and Sammy is a moose at 95lbs) and found a roomie. I've been here a year and it has been full of ups and downs, re-learning how to be single again after so many years, and finally working on taking full control of my life.

Okay, that was a downer, but seriously I am doing well. I just want to be well-er. Yes, thats a word in the sassygirl dictionary. A 25-cent one I might add. I digress.

I started hearing of a documentary called Crazy Sexy Cancer last fall, and kept missing it, but was so intrigued by this young woman that was my age that was kicking cancer squaw where it hurts, I just had to see her speak at a local "I'm Too Young For This" retreat thingy. She was all raw power, excuse my pun. She advocates eating a raw diet (at least 80/10) and I said to myself, this sounds nutty and a pain in the ass. But there she was, glowing with stage 4 cancer (nope, there is no stage 5.)

Everyone got a copy of her book, Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips, and I was really excited to read that. I found out through her documentary site that there was now My Crazy Sexy Life, an online community of not just cancer people, but all sorts of people. Veggies, Cancers, Auto Immuners, Peace people, Animal people, Green people (not the alien kind either.) ;)

I went offline all winter, trying to find my inner peace again after being on that roller coaster for so long. I stayed in bed for days at a time, dragging myself to work during the week and feeling like Polar Bear-ism was the way to be. I didn't want to see or be seen, let alone start any new diets. I lived on Annie's mac and cheese, Amy's frozen food, hot and cold cereal, and the occasional yummy dinner upstairs at my cousin's. I used to cook when I ate poultry and fish (I've been mammal free for 10 years), but that was more for when I had someone to cook for (and he was all meat n' potatoes. Definitely not meant to be.) What the hell do you make for one? Lately I started experimenting with frozen veggie crumble things, pasta, and veggies. I enjoyed that for a while, but didn't feel great. Having Lupus means I get tired a lot and achy from my cells attacking the crap out of each other.

Like everyone who is sick, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!

So, okay. Time to get off my butt. Now, where do I start? I don't know the first thing about quinoa (okay well I know it exists) and I recently read about durian and how it stinks, but how do I make sure I'm getting enough nutrients and protein and all that? I am off dairy (save for a few types of cheese) and decided to dump the wheat and gluten too (I talked to some auto immune peeps and they vow that that stuff causes inflammation) so I am really out in the middle of the woods. I went food shopping the other day and really started reading labels, although I also keep hearing how a lot of wheat/gluten is hidden and you really have to make sure. But how is the question. I don't think I'm allergic to it thankfully, I just want to see how I feel without that added stuff.

TO RAW OR NOT TO RAW

Okay, so when I move next week, I will be out of some major cash, and don't have money for a good juicer. I don't even have a blender right now (why I didn't take that from the D-I-V I don't remember) soooo what to do?

I'm just gonna take it one day at a time. Its late, and I haven't even had dinner yet. Thats my other problem, I come home to check one thing online and four hours later I'm like, crap! Its time for bed. Real healthy eh?

Time to do phys therapy on my foot (40 miles for the Avon Walk can really screw you up.) and get some rest for another day at the cubicle farm. Okay, I have an office so I'll shut up. But no natural light is bad, especially for an outdoor lover like me.

Breakfast - strawberry yogurt (finishing up what I bought and switching to soy), Flax oatmeal with raisins.

Lunch - Ethnic gourmet panak paneer. Yes frozen. Yes cooked. But veggie! I will get to changing that.

Dinner - pumpkin flax granola cereal with fresh strawberries, 1 glass OJ.

Okay, I ate like crap today basically. I'm a bit lazy and financially strapped so I panic at the grocery store like a deer in headlights. Hopefully I never hit a deer.