Day 20-21

I have no business being up at 12:30am, so let me share just a few thoughts as this challenge draws to a close...

1.  I a so glad I didn't pledge to blog daily about this.

2.  Lots of tooting.  I mean, let's get real.

3.  I didn't miss cheese as much as I thought I would.

4.  I really miss sugar.

5.  Surprisingly, I feel more alert withOUT the caffiene now.  I found it harder to stay up later and just went to bed earlier (this was more the forst 10 days, though).

6.  By day 19, I'd lost 6 pounds.  The inches aren't showing as much--- the place where it's most significant is my thighs--- 3/4" of an inch.

7.  Wish I could tell you my cholestorol-- I am sure it's dropped!

8.  I was disappointed my skin didn't get better.  To be fair, I have a lot of stress, BUT, still... no caffiene, no sugar, no dairy... no improvement?  I DO need to be more vigilant about water.

9.  I think I can go back to this for a week at a time anytime I want to "reset".  But After about 12 days, my mood shifted, no idea why.  The first week was by far the easiest.  I think because I planned it so well.  (Which took a LOT of time.)

10.  I ate 4 things outside of the challenge (notice I refuse to use the word "cheated"-- I hate when people say that on a  diet, it just sounds so sad to me).  Day 13 I ate exactly one bite of birthday cake... and it didnt taste good (taste buds changed?).  Day 17 I had some NERDS.  A friend found them for me (my fav Halloween candy) and I tried to resist... I lasted 12 hours anyway... that's something.  Day 18 I shared a Mediterranean Pizza with another friend on the challenge!  But it was worth it--and not even very cheesy, it was mainly baked in.  Worth.  Every.  Bite.  Day 19 I ate a heavenly slice of birthday cake.  My husband and I had been taking about it all week and decided we'd eat a slice.  All in all, not bad in 20 days.

So, tomorrow is the last day!  I feel excitd about, because I do feel I can add things back in in moderation.  Will I slowly add too much back?  Maybe.  But I'm not scared of vegan anymore.  I can flip back to this for a day, a week--anytime.  I'll probably keep some stuff-- no cow's milk, vegan butter, keep cheese off tacos and burritos (barely miss it), but tofutti cream cheese, yick...  I was hoping for more.

I also think we saved a good bit of money, so we'll probably lean more vegan than we did 21 days ago-- we're excited about it.  Our kids did ask for cheese after several days (we didn't mention the challenge to them, just did it) so they ate cheese here and there.  They also didn't give up sugar except in the house.

I also realized I use way too much oil AND that I miss making stir-fry AND that I really like brown rice.

So--- I'll blog once more tomorrow as we wrap things up.

Can't wait to hear your stories.

Day 13

This will be VERY quick as I have been listening (and ignoring) my husband's struggle with both girls in the bathtub for the last 20 minutes.

1.  The second week was harder than the first.

2.  Did I 'relapse'?  Well--- technically, yes.  Tonight, my husband and I each had ONE bite for the birthday cake slice that Zoe got.  It was NOT good---and now we're thinking it must be our taste buds and the 13 day sugar-starvation because it was a Publix cake and everyone knows Publix cakes knock the socks off any other cake.  But that's our only transgression in 13 days.  One small bite of cake.

3.  I gained a pound.  Why?  My best guess is that I REALLY loaded on the bread this week.  I went for bread & bagels like no one's business.

I am kind of waiting for this to end-- I am disappointed that I gained a pound.  The first week was so easy-- I wonder why I fell off so easily in week #2.  SO MUCH BREAD.

Looking for new inspiration because it's only 21 days and I want to finish and finish strong.

Day 8

YES, I'm keeping with the program!

I got absorbed in a WONDERFUL book, so I was turning to that to distract me from the challenge.  (State of Wonder by Ann Patchett, amazing!)

So-- my birthday was Sunday, and my 4 year old is very strict on birthdays.  Birthday hats, cakes and eating out is a MUST.  Well--it actually turns out being vegan helped us do this frugally.  (Thank goodness, because we're tight!)

We had lunch out at Chipotle as a treat.  Seth & I got:
-Black bean burritos with rice, black beans, onions and peppers, medium salsa, guacamole and lettuce----AMAZING.  We brought out own water bottles because their drink selection sucks IMO.
-We got a taco kit meal for the girls to share (4yrs & 1 yr).  They each built a taco of:  black beans, chunky mild salsa, corn and cilantro, and guacamole.  All 4 of us ate every bite--it was delicious.  Who knew vegan could be so good?

Seth and I also started noticing on Saturday (5 days in) how sweet everything was tasting.  Watermelon, pineapple--so sweet.  Corn-- ultra sweet.  We had some all natural cider and it was almost disgustingly sweet.  I can tell that taking sugar out has really intensified some flavors.  The corn surprised us the most.

Oh--and at the close of week #1, I have officially lost 5 lbs.  (And I have not changed my exercise patterns at all, tho I will admit I'm probably sleeping an hour more each night.)

Lentil soup for dinner!

How are YOU doing?

Day 5

You know where I'm getting the willpower for this (because I really don't have much in general)?

Breastfeeding.

It's the only experience I can draw from.  I hated every minute of the first 6 weeks nursing my first baby (2 weeks for baby #2).  Hated it--but there was NO way I was losing that battle, just NO WAY.  Plus-- I'm cheap.  No way was I gonna lose the battle PLUS fork over $28 for a can of formula (or however much it costs) when I had my own 2 cans.

So, that's my plan here.  I've already bought the food--not gonna waste it-- and I am determined to lower my poundage and cholestorol so Seth & I can buy a new life ins. policy and get a better rate!  (Yep, seriously.)  If I can do this 21 days, I might save myself money for the next 20 years!

I also admire anyone who does this in a house where everyone else ISN'T doing it.  How do you do it?  I'm grateful my family's along for the ride.  And, while I'm sure my husband will NOT appreciate me sharing this--- he was in the bathroom for awhile the other night and I said, "What are you doing in there?" and he yelled through the door, "Being vegan is murdering my ass!"

I have already lost 5 pounds in 6 days.  (I think it's 5 in 5 days, but I last weighed myself Sunday, then gorged on Halloween candy, then started this challenge.)

Speaking of challenge, I HATE the word "diet" so I am refusing to use it.  CHALLENGE!

The 21 day-ness of it all helps me.  It reminds me of breastfeeding-- I just made myself tiny benchmarks--- "just get to 1 week", just one month, 3 months, 6 months.  I got to 13 months with both of them, and am still amazed because I didn't like breastfeeding--I was just determined.

So, I'll keep that in my mind as I try to make the most natural nutrition choices for my body the way I did for my daughters' bodies. :)

Day 3

Breakfast was... what did I have?  Oh!  I had a smoothie---- rice milk, 1 banana, peanut butter & cocoa powder.  Good.
Snack of plain popcorn.
Lunch-- I had TWO hummus pitas with cucumbers and tomatoes.  (Hungry!)
Dinner was stir-fry (pictured here):

I am feeling better.
I am feeling less crave-y.

And... even though I am supposed to wait til Tuesday-- a full week---- I hopped on the scale and have lost 4 pounds since Sunday morning!  (I forgot to weigh myself Nov. 1, but I had weighed myself Oct. 30).  I am using the scale at the grocery store.  It really is amazing.

I also found a chocolate bar that Whole Foods assured me is vegan-- Paul Newman's 70% super dark chocolate.  It's actually good!  No milkfat--and just cane juice.

I also love that in the book, he gives you a passage to read each of the 21 days to keep you motivated for that day.  I know it's only the 3rd day, but it does seem that each days gets a tin bit easier--not harder, so that's a relief.

I am SO looking forward to my body feeling better and more energized each day and I'm also eager to see if my skin improves and if I'm less angry in general.  Also can't wait to see what these fods taste like in 2 weeks-- I hear your palate appreciates the fruits and veggies so much more when it's off all that salt and sugar!

How are YOU doing?

Day 2

Yesterday went really well!
Tho, I am reading the book 21 Day Weight Loss Kickstart (plant based diet) and feel a bit deflated because I used a TON of canola  oil making the gravy last night and it basically said try not to use any EVER!  (How!?)

Anyway--- really wanted to steal a piece of my 4 year old's Halloween candy, but didn't.  (She was only allowed to keep 10 pieces anyway, so I'm accountable.)

Finding that cutting the sugar is tougher than the cheese, eggs, etc.

Found some dark chocolate that has no milkfat and no sugar (just cane juice) and it's surprisingly good!

My husband is doing well, too--no cheating!

Yesterday I bough a huge watermelon and some kiwis and made a huge fruit salad.  Perfect for breakfast with about 8 almonds!   (The book also says to limit nuts because they are quite fatty and you may think the plan isnt working, but you're just subbing nuts & oil for the animal products).

Tomorrow--stir-fry! 

How is it going for YOU?  Harder or easier than you thought?

Hummus

2 cups chickpeas (if using canned, skip the salt)
1/2 tbsp salt
2 tbsp tahini
2 tbsp water
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 garlic clove

Slowly pour chickpeas into food processor as the blade turns.
Add all other ingredients.
Blend well.

Enjoy!

Dry beans vs. Canned + directions

I started doing dry beans about 6 months ago.  I really think they taste better. 

Plus, see below for more on dry vs. canned.

Here is how I do my beans.
1. I soak overnight.
2.  I follow direcs on the back of the bag.

To break it down more:
1.  I soak in my Classic Batter Bowl with lid on.
2.  If it turns out I don't have time for them, I sometimes leave them up to 48 hrs.
3.  I drain and rinse them.
4.  Put in pot and bring to a boil, then turn down low and cook 2 hrs with lid tilted.
5.  Use what you need, freeze the rest in 1 cup containers.

FROM:  WWW.SQUAKFOX.COM
Here are ten reasons soaking dried beans can change your life:

1. Price:

Buying dried beans is extremely cheap. All you frugal types will agree you can get significantly more beans by forgoing the canned variety. I like saving money and at the same time getting more beans for my buck! The cool thing about dried beans is they expand when soaked, so you end up with even more beans per dollar spent. This is the new math!

2. Sodium Free:

Salt is bad for you. It’s a sad truth, people. Salt is terrible for your arteries and body in general. Canned beans can be loaded with sodium. Sure, you can buy canned cooked beans with low or no sodium, but why bother when dry bulk beans are salt free?

3. Healthier:

I don’t know how long canned beans can survive in canned-captivity, but I bet they have some kinda preservatives to keep them juicy and fresh. Now, the dried beans I buy are preservative free and have a shelf life of eons. I have no scientific bean data, but I have a hunch that dried beans are healthier than canned beans cause they are less processed, less preserved, and less exposed to chemicals.

4. Tastier:

My “better half” came up with this point. He really thinks soaking and cooking dried beans is far tastier than eating precooked canned beans. I have to agree with him as they just taste better and more natural.

5. Less waste and environmentally friendly:

I think buying dried beans really helps the environment. Dried beans require less energy expended in production, less energy expended in recycling, and less material usage for the packaging (steel can and the paper label). I am thrilled I can reduce my footprint (foodprint) and at the same time save lots of bucks. It may seem small, but if we all reduce the amount of canned goods we consume I think we can make a big difference. Think positive! Ohh, and I really hate buying all those steel cans just to recycle them again.

6. More variety and selection:

Have you ever seen a can of mung beans? I sure haven’t. But when I saw a nice bin of mung beans for $2 bucks a pound (dry weight), I knew I had to try them. Gentle reader, mung beans are delicious and can be added easily to soups and stews! Anyways, there is sooo much variety to be found in dried beans. It’s awesome to try new varieties every now and then and bypass the canned bean aisle with the same old stuff. Bean there, done that.

7. More cooking control:

I used to hate opening up a can of beans only to find them a little too mushy for my liking. So, I was thrilled to find that soaking and cooking beans gives the cook ultimate control in how firm, juicy, or mushy the final bean will be. This is good news for bean fanatics like me.

8. Bisphenol A (BPA):

You know how cans have a plastic liner in them? Well, this liner apparently contains a chemical called bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is a component for making several polymers and polymer additives. Bisphenol A has recently become controversial because it mimics estrogen and thus could induce hormonal responses. Personally, the less I expose myself to chemicals the better.

9. Less storage space:

I hate filling my pantry with lots of cans. I live in a small house, so every inch of food storage space matters! Dry beans take up little to no space, so I can be frugal with both my money and my space.

10. Soaking beans is easy:

My friends seem to have this preconceived notion that soaking beans is hard work and takes lots of time. Not true I say. It’s not like you have to stand there and watch the beans soak. To soak my beans, I just pour them into a bowl, and add water. That’s it! I then leave them submerged in water to soak over night and have them ready for my slow cooker in the morning. It’s easy!