My 30 Day Vegan and Alcohol-free Challenge

It’s been a long time since I’ve written anything for this blog (years!), but I felt so inclined to chronicle my 30-day journey into veganism and living alcohol-free.

A lot of people have asked me why I am trialing a plant-based diet.  Well, all of you know I have never done food with faces – if I’ve seen its face, I just can’t eat it.  Honestly, I just can’t think about it.  Picking up a package of chicken at the Teeter desensitizes me to the fact that I’m consuming another living, breathing being – that lived a horrible life until it was sacrificed for my consumption.  So, that’s one of my reasons.

Another reason are the health benefits.  Did you know that plant-based diets are proven to help keep blood pressure lower, reduce your risk of cancer and prevent diabetes?  Those with plant-based diets also tend to consume fewer calories, which most Americans need to do.  Heart disease and diabetes run in my family; I want to do my part to prevent myself from succumbing to them.

And last, but not least, is that you know I love a good challenge.  Why not try it out?  We already participate in Meatless Monday in my home, and I try to expand to Tofu Tuesday, so what’s 5 more days a week?  The Hubster has been surprisingly supportive, even though he’s made it clear that he’s not participating in my temporary lifestyle change.  Although, he did Google some vegan variations of traditional southern New Year’s Day fare, which we not only prepared that way, but he also actually enjoyed them.

This was our vegan New Year's Day Dinner - mmmmm!

My choice to turn my back on alcohol for 30 days is a personal choice.  I love beer.  I love to have a drink when socializing (ok, probably more than “a” drink.).  But the calories alcohol adds into your diet is mind-blowing.  I’ve indulged a little bit more than I’d like to admit (although I’m admitting it here in this blog!) and want to put a leash on myself (“Who’s holding your leash?").  I know I can do this – I’ve given myself one “cheat” day during January – an event from December that was cancelled and may end up being rescheduled in January.  It doesn’t count, since it’s a reschedule –right?  Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

Day 1 was a success, even though I was a little sad when I made my coffee and realized I couldn’t have milk – but not as sad as the cow who was being assaulted to bring me my milk, right? Luckily, I have dabbled in reducing dairy for over a year, so I did have some almond milk on hand.  Not the same, but it works. 

Alright, so here were my meals yesterday:

Breakfast – Orgain Chocolate Protein Powder with 1 cup Califia Farms XX Espresso

Snack – banana

Lunch – Gardein Chickn Scallopini patty with 3 cups broccoli

Snack 2 – Rice Roller

Snack 3 – (don’t judge – I was starving!), corn tortilla and black bean hummus quesadilla

Dinner – 2 cups of vegan collards, 1 cup of brown rice and 1.5 cups of black eyed peas (probably more than I should’ve eaten – but they were so good!)

On to Day 2!