Newbie Vegan, Day 64

The day that I started reading The Vegan's Daily Companion by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau was the day I stopped putting animal products into my body. I did it that way so that I would have a "count" without really thinking about it, and an inspirational book to go along. It seems odd knowing it's been 64 days, because it doesn't really feel like it has been long at all.

First, I must say that I feel so much better. I feel great. I'm sleeping better, feeling more energized, and I haven't been sick a single time this entire cold and flu season. (Knock on wood!) I have plenty of energy for my workouts, and I've even started running again. Right now I'm more of a jogger/walker, but I look forward to being a healthy, vegan runner.

I've started moving my veganism into other aspects of my life too. As I purchase new health and beauty products, I am doing my best to be sure they were not tested on animals and don't contain animal products. I'm sure I will make mistakes along the way, but I am trying. (And loving some of the new products I've discovered.) As I purchase new shoes, I am resisting the leather ones, even if I love them. If they have leather, they go back on the shelf. One nice side benefit to these is that most of the shoes I find in stores that are vegan are fairly inexpensive.

I am learning how to find vegan food at my favorite restaurants, and also discovering some new restaurants. It feels good to find a vegan "standby" at the places I used to go to frequently for a quick lunch, and I feel like its good to know what I can order at just about any place. I am also learning how to be an advocate for vegan options at restaurants. Although I was unsuccessful in my first venture (inquiring to see if my favorite local pizza parlor was interested in carrying Daiya), I do plan to keep trying. I believe there are probably more vegans in Southern Indiana than people realize, perhaps many of them are just quiet and haven't asked for vegan cheese.

Earth Friends Cafe: A Diamond in the Vegan Rough

One of the places that has made it very easy for me to make this transition is Earth Friends Cafe in New Albany, Indiana. Through EFC, I have discovered a lot of yummy vegan foods, made some great friends, and discovered that I don't have to give up eating out to go vegan (and have more to choose from than salads and plain baked potatoes). There aren't a whole lot of vegan restaurant options on the Indiana side of the river, but EFC more than makes up for it.

My husband and I go there just about every Saturday morning for vegan waffles and really good coffee. (The photo above is the waffle with blueberries and a hazelnut soy latte.) They only have hot breakfast on Saturday mornings, but it's worth a trip. I also enjoy going there for lunch sometimes during the week, and you can even go there for dinner now a few days a week.

Earth Friends has several vegan sandwich options on the menu (and others that can be made vegan), along with vegan soups and delicious homemade vegan desserts. I always leave there with a full stomach. (And usually with a satisfied sweet tooth!) We are very lucky to have this option, and I hope more people in this area discover how easy it is to eat satisfying, healthy vegan food through EFC.

I owe EFC a lot when it comes to starting me off on this journey. Being vegan is something I never thought I could do, because I thought giving up cheese and dairy were just not an option for me. My first time trying vegan cheese was in a dish at EFC -- the pumpkin quesadilla with Teese Cheese. Now I have tried a few other kinds, and have been working on making my own favorite dishes vegan, while still enjoying trying new things at Earth Friends. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend stopping there for a bite to eat.