I have been eating mostly vegan lately, but am finding that it doesn't have to be in the least bit boring.
I am actually concentrating on raw vegan eating mostly, as I strongly believe from all that I've read on the subject that it can be one of the healthiest diets for weight control, healthy skin, hair and bones and longevity. Read this for detailed info; http://www.vegansociety.com/food/raw_food.php and also http://aveganlife.blogspot.com/2006/05/20-reasons-to-go-vegan.html. Not all my reasons for doing this are moralistic but for health also.
I begin each day with a cup of hot water with ginger and lemon, a bowl of dry, raw cereal and strawberries or blueberries and some walnuts. For lunch, I may eat a raw vegan soup like this one; http://beautiful-vegan.blogspot.com/2009/04/raw-vegan-spinach-avocado-soup-with.html
and have a great big salad with lots of types of nuts. For snacks, I have fruit, nuts, raw vegan cookies from Wholefoods or if I'm not being SUPER strict, a wedge of tofu or berry bread with hummous.
For dinner I may have a raw pesto with spaghetti squash or a vegan couscous stew (if not eating wholly raw), another salad and finish off with a delicious slice of this amazing raw chocolate cheesecake; http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=21933&highlight=cheesecake
This is SOOOOO good! I made if for carnivorous friends and they LOVED it! LOL!
Anyhow...I know that this is not for everyone but I LOVE eating this way! I have never felt better. A lady asked me if I was vegan the other day when I was out as my skin looked so good! LOL!!!
I definitely don't feel like I am missing out on anything! I recommend at least really trying to incorporate soem of these delicious things into one's diet. For example, instead of a regular chocolate cake for a birthday, try the recipe above! it is amazing! And SOOOO chocolately!
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My man's mother is delighted that he eats so much less meat and more veggies and juices now! lol
October 10, 2009 - 1:18pmThanks for all the encouragement, Michelle. I love the site!
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Once again you have done a great job explaining more about your vegan way of life! I like the way you are flexible when it comes to going out with your friends. I bet if you did go ahead and eat dairy or some meats you would feel really "off" or maybe even ill. I have a friend who gave up dairy for awhile (to try to calm down a health issue) and then when she cheated and had some casserole with cheese on top of it she felt really sick to her stomach. It was as if her body had acclimated to the new diet. How interesting too that your boyfriend eats differently than you. I bet though that his diet has improved since you started eating all vegan!
If I think of any other questions I'll post them here for you. In the meantime, you keep at it as you are obviously doing something right! Have a great weekend! Michelle
October 9, 2009 - 11:04pmThis Comment
Hey Michelle,
Thanks for all the enthusiasm! It is only interesting for me to talk about all of this! I am lucky to be in the bay area and have so many great restaurants available to me. There is Millennium restaurant, my fave in all the world....I make my boyfriend take me here for birthdays, valentine's day, etc http://www.millenniumrestaurant.com/
It is all vegan and soooo bloody good!!!! LOL
We also have Cafe Gratitute in the area which is all RAW vegan and also excellent. Let me inform you that they both have desserts to DIE for....even my carnivore boyfriend is convinced!
http://www.cafegratitude.com/
There are numerous smaller places like Que SeRaw SeRaw which has little take out raw vegan food. http://www.queserawseraw.com/
When I go to thai or chineese places I often get veggie dishes and add tofu in those cases.
Obviously steak houses are a no no!
I try never to complain too much if I am out with a group and they decide on something that I am not into. I will still eat a little seafood in a push. If I am at dinner in someone's house, I let them know in advance what I can't eat as I won't eat meat or dairy under any circumstances for moral, aesthetic and health reasons so I feel it's only fair to tell people that.
Wholefoods has a great selection of all things vegan and raw vegan as do many smaller health markets and there is always a farmer's market for all the veggies I need for juicing.
Right now I am not drinking any alcohol, taking it one day at a time as I love it and am going to limit a little organic wine to weekends or holidays. I AM irish afterall and will be spending xmas with my family in Ireland!
Please let me know if you have ANY more questions...I love to write about this!
October 9, 2009 - 11:59amThis Comment
Fantastic information! I love the way you have obviously done a lot of research on this topic and how willing you are to share it with everyone. And now you are living your own research! Do you find that you are able to eat out in most restaurants, or are there some places that just won't work for you? I eat out pretty frequently and sometimes I meet friends with pretty special dietary issues or requirements and it can sometimes be hard to find something on the menu that will work. I hope you don't mind my extra questions! I know too that there are good vegan restaurants around in many cities. Your information on protein is really interesting. I agree that we are on a bit of a protein kick in our country right now and I would think that protein from the sources you list sound a lot healthier than protein from tons of bacon, etc. And congratulations on your skin! You can see how healthy you are from your photo. I look forward to reading more about your diet and seeing more recipes, etc. Big hugs, Michelle
October 8, 2009 - 10:28pmThis Comment
There is a little info here about protein ;
October 7, 2009 - 10:43amhttp://www.savvyvegetarian.com/articles/protein-veg-diet.php#
I recently read that even the FDA only recommends about 6% protein in the diet and 4% is supposedly adequate. Green leafy vegetables and broccoli contain higher levels of zinc, calcium and protein than fruit and are therefore an important part of raw diets, but about 500 g per day of green vegetables, including a mixture of lettuces, broccoli and darker leaves such as kale and spinach, is sufficient to bring mineral and protein intakes into line with general recommendations. Such vegetables also provide vitamin K, which promotes healthy bones. Other raw vegetables can be useful: for instance, carrots are a good source of calcium and peas a good source of zinc and protein.
I have also read in my internet travels and remember hearing this a long time ago even; that the protein in animal matter of any kind actually makes the body urinate it out. A very strict raw vegan diet can actually be the very healthiest for all the food groups as you body can better absorb the nutrients because of the enzymes. Juicing can especialy aid in absorption;
http://www.bestofjuicing.com/
It is commonly believed in the vegan community that we westerners eat FAAAR too much protein anyhow, especially in the forms of meat and dairy.
I can tell you first hand that I eat A LOT of green leafy veggies, nuts, lentils, etc.. and fell fabulous. I have lots of energy. I just turned 39 and have perfectly regular periods and never get PMS since starting this regime and quitting the pill. I work out and build muscle rather well. Recently, I saw the doc and I was given a perfect bill of health. Not to be vain, but I am told almost every few days that my skin is like alabaster; zit free and glowing! LOL
Anyhow...like you say, it may just be a good idea especially for people with cancer, allergies and other illnesses to eat more of this type of food. There are actually cancer clinics where the patients are fed wholly on raw vegan foods as this can improve the immunity and even stop or slow cancer growth! That is just amazing!
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I love it that you still drink wine--you go girl! I agree with Diane--your posts are great and you can really sense your enthusiasm and I have to say your good health in your words! I have another question, this one about protein. I've read that getting enough protein can be tricky with vegan diets; that's why I asked about the soy milk as I know that's a great source. I know beans too are good for that and probably some of your whole grains have some. Since you don't eat too much tofu I was wondering if you could share with us how you are sure to get enough protein. Thanks again for being so open about your diet. This is really interesting and I think you're going to inspire a lot of people to give it a try or at least try some of the recipes you like! Big hugs, Michelle
October 6, 2009 - 11:03pmThis Comment
Hey Diane!
October 6, 2009 - 11:37amThe internet is an amazing source of recipes! You can find sooooo many great dishes....I repeat a bit but when the food is this good, it is worth it! For instance, last night I made a fab pumpkin lasagna! I found a great recipe here... http://www.bookofyum.com/blog/gluten-free-vegan-italian-dairy-free-soy-free-pumpkin-lasagna-recipe-1268.html
I just search for ideas. I love the internet anyhow! I also make a lot of pasta and rice dishes using sprouted brown rice or spelt or quinoa pasta. I might do a primavera style sauce with fresh veggies lightly cooked in olive oil. A fresh raw pesto is also very easy and quick. A food processor is a must!
I shop every few days as I like the veggies and fruit to be as fresh as possible. I am also lucky that I rent a great house with mature fruit trees so I have lots of apples and pears for juicing. I always attempt to get to the farmer's market on weekends but if my intention fails, then I go to my local Wholefoods or organic food market. This all takes a little more time than throwing something in the microwave but I love it.... it is as important to me as my painting is so I make time.
I will sometimes make a big veggie stew and freeze the sauce to use later, though I try to always make fresh food, this can be a time saver.
Check out some of these great recipes too! http://www.veganchef.com/
There really are endless amounts out there!
Please let me know if you have any other questions! I love this subject! Do you have a juicer? I really recommend one. The health benefits and weight loss are amazing when you juice. Don't get a cheap, small one though, you will regret it! LOL!
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Rlyons,
I am inspired by your post! I am a vegetarian but have never tried to go vegan. I'm interested, how much time do you spend shopping and cooking each week? Have you found ways to streamline the time-consuming parts of always cooking with fresh foods? How often do you repeat recipes? I find myself sometimes falling into a rut with the same recipes simply because they're easy. It sounds like you've really gotten the knack of constantly exploring new options and working them into your week. I'd love to hear some of your secrets!
October 6, 2009 - 8:45amThis Comment
Hi Michelle!
I do a lot of juicing! I bought a fab juicer and make great mixed juice drinks with kale, apple, pear, beets, carrots, celery, etc.. I mix and match and sometimes add strawberries and even asparagus or squash! I really feel the benefits of juicing.You can read about juicing here; http://www.bestofjuicing.com/
You are right...I haven't had a drop of coffee for over two years! I drink some herbal teas...I try not to boil the water, but to gently heat it and use dried herbal teas like guava or camomile or fresh mint.
October 5, 2009 - 11:51amSupposedly on a true RAW vegan diet, alcohol is not allowed but I DO drink wine! I try to buy vegan, organic wines. I live close to Napa and Sonoma valley and there are wineries which grow organically and biodynamically!
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Hi there! I found your post to be really interesting! I'm not sure if I could do a vegan diet either, at least not full time, but I agree that it wouldn't hurt to try some of these recipes! The cheesecake one did sound really amazing..and you can't go wrong with chocolatey deserts right? I was wondering what types of beverages you are having in addition to the water with ginger and lemon and juice. Do you drink any soy milk or teas? My guess is you don't drink coffee, right? That one would be hard for me to say goodbye to. I'm glad you are seeing such great results! Best in health, Michelle
October 4, 2009 - 10:40pmThis Comment