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.

Vegan Junk Food Fest

As much as the Weight Watchers Lifetime Member in me hates to admit it, this week has been a bit of a vegan junk food fest. I am enjoying discovering new things (Veggie Booty! Tofutti Cuties!) as well as finding old favorites that happen to be vegan. (Oreos! Unfrosted Pop Tarts! Campbell's Tomato Soup and Ritz Crackers! Okay, maybe that one's not so bad.)

I have also discovered locally-made vegan bakery treats, as well as vegan pizza. None of these items are particularly good for my wallet or my waistline. But I have to admit it is kind of fun to stroll through the aisles of the grocery store, picking up an item I had previously enjoyed or remember from childhood, studying the ingredients and realizing it is vegan. (Of course, there is also the disappointment upon discovering that some things you felt sure would be vegan have milk or eggs in them....usually milk.)

I think the one that burns me up the most is the gelatin in the frosting on the Pop Tarts. I had assumed no Pop Tarts were vegan (or even vegetarian) because of the gelatin, which I figured had to be in that gooey filling. Then I read on a message board that unfrosted Pop Tarts are vegan. So I checked the ingredients, and...huh, what do you know...the gelatin is in the frosting. Never would have thought that. It makes me want to ask Kellogg's why they need to use that in the frosting...seems like a sugary frosting could easily be made without gelatin. (And I'm sure this won't be the last time I feel a similar frustration.)

Regardless, I'm hoping this little junk food honeymoon ends soon, before it starts showing up on my tush. I need to stop filling the cabinets with chips, crackers, and toaster pastries, even if they are free of animal products. (But it's nice that so many are!)