Thursday, September 27, 2007

The Shopping List of Life

Okay, here's the Vegan-fabulous shopping list. I'll hit the markets this weekend. I predict a vegan immersion on Sunday, 9/30. I'll call it V-Day!

Ciao!


Whole Foods
Nasoya nayonaise
Wholesome Sweetners organic sucanat
Stevia
Soy milk
Soy cheese…lots of soy cheese
Cereal
Walnuts and almonds
Bread
Mango
Bananas
Spinach
Avocado
Garlic
Onions
Tomatoes
Shitake Mushrooms
Romaine lettuce
Cantaloupe
Tortilla chips

Food Emporium
Brown rice
Corn tortillas
Egg substitute
Chicken substitute
Fake bacon
Jimmy Lean-ground
Tortilla chips
Legumes (pinto beans!)
Whole wheat pasta
Veggie dogs
Tofu
Potatoes

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Has the Whole World Gone Vegan?!?!?



Yes. It has. And I've decided to join the lemmings hurling themselves off the cliff with a copy of Skinny Bitch in hand. I haven't started a vegan diet as of this evening. Rather I've begun my meatless, dairy-less, refined sugar-less, enriched flour-less, and caffeine-less journey by simply telling a select group of friends that I'm going to "go vegan." The response has been varied, ranging from outrage to unbridled support. And while I've only actually told two people, both responses might be what I'll be dealing with in terms of attitudes from the people in my life. But in the words of the Skinny Bitch authoresses themselves, "fuck 'em."


So now that I've eased myself into the idea of joining Planet Vegan, I need to get my very first Vegan Shopping List together. Now I know myself. I'm an emotional eater. My list needs to include something to satisfy a MONSTER sweet tooth. Another food issue I'm going to have to deal with is a suitable substitute for cheese. I LOVE CHEESE. Seriously. In terms of my favorite things of all time there are two that are in tied for first place: the orgasm and cheese. Now I'm reading that there are a few great cheese substitutes, such as an alternative to Parmesan cheese by Eat in the Raw. I'll check it out and see how it rates.


But I'm excited about embarking on a challenging new journey. My doing the vegan thing is pretty common to why thousands of others have drunk the Kool-Aid alternative (sweetened with agave nectar, no doubt). I want to engage in a healthier lifestyle, I'm over the thought of eating animals that die in a horrific and unhygienic manner, a deep family history of obesity, high-blood pressure and diabetes blah, blah, blah. I know it's extreme- especially coming from someone who just ate a grilled cheese sandwich not 5 minutes ago (my Vegan start date is TBA). But I want to give this a try- a serious attempt at being more thoughtful about what I'm putting in my body.


Oh yeah, and I need to lose, like, a hundred pounds. Really. I know...ugh.