My Update on Going Vegan
So it’s been just a little over five weeks since I made the health choice of going vegan, see my prior post. And I have to say, it’s been awesome! Really awesome! I feel better, have more energy, and having a great time eating lots of new food — my taste buds are bedazzled. During these past five weeks, I’ve only had one not-so-great meal. In addition, I’ve only had a few salads — there are tons of non-salad options.
Anyway, the overall success rate, has been about 94%. Only 94% because we still have a ton of food that was frozen prior to having our latest baby (mostly Dream Dinner meals); that and friends and church members have been bringing us food too. But we are replacing most of our meals with vegan alternatives and only eating about two non-vegan meals a week.
Also for the record, I’ve been mostly cooking meals out of two vegan cookbooks.
- My favorite one being
Quick-Fix Vegetarian: Healthy Home-Cooked Meals in 30 Minutes or Less by Robin Robertson - And the other
Vegan with a Vengeance : Over 150 Delicious, Cheap, Animal-Free Recipes That Rock by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
The only problem to date is finding all of the ingredients. Not all health stores are created equal and the big suburbia chains that are catering to “the organic movement” don’t care about vegetarians and vegans. They just want to sell you “organically feed and free-range or cage-free grown meat” (which is better then the cloned, genetically altered, or chemically enhanced meat that is on most shelves — I guess). However I have had about 80%-95% success at Wild Oats, now part of Wholefoods.
To bad there isn’t a grocery store chain that serves “organic” foods, to attract the suburban folk, but focuses on vegans and vegetarians as a niche market. Hey if someone can put together a profit and loss statement over a five year period — i’ll be happy to open a store here in Littleton, Colorado.
If you have questions or comments please feel free to let me know.
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:00 AM
Hi Mathew,
Your site came up, because I google the word “vegan.” As an animal advocate for 15 years, I’m always thrilled to hear about another convert!.
I’m more attracted to veganism because of not wanting to inflict suffering on sentient beings. Since you are so connected, would you consider circulating this late, breaking news about the latest undercover factory farm video?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathy-freston/help-stop-cruelty-to-anim_b_127967.html
Thanks so much, for the animals!
Jean from Port Townsend, WA
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Hi there, Matthew…
Congratulations on your decision to try vegan. Hubby Jeff and I went vegan in ’94 and have enjoyed our experience immensely.
One thing you don’t notice for years, though, is that eating vegan actually slows the aging process waaaay down. We’re both usually pegged to be 10-15 years younger than we are. Pretty cool benefit. :O)
All the best,
Sassy
September 22nd, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Hi Sassy,
I would guess that it has to do with these two things…
one: removing meat from one’s diet might remove the toxins and pollutants the body can’t handle and…
two: eating more vegetables puts more of the antioxidants and other nutrients your body needs to fight off such toxins and pollutants.
Thanks for the feedback.
September 25th, 2008 at 4:46 PM
Congrats on going vegan!
If you need a resource, here are a few:
http://www.veganoutreach.org/
http://www.theppk.com/
http://www.compassionatecooks.com/