In the first month of our 3 month challenge my husband and I conquered fast food and soda.  We had a pretty successful month, except for the cheat of pizza.  Even though it has been more than a month since I have had any soda, I still get the occasional craving.  For some reason writing about it makes me crave it, weird!

This month we are kicking things up a notch to break more of the addictions we have to processed foods, while turning our diet around into one that truly focuses on vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.  For inspiration and motivation we are reading Dr. Neal Barnard’s 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart.

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This program is totally pushing us out of our comfort zone because it involves a vegan diet.  Vegan simply means no animal products, that includes dairy, eggs, and meat.  Not only that, we are keeping oils at a minimum and not eating processed foods.

Some of you may be thinking I lost my marbles, but hear me out.  Sometimes getting outside of your comfort zone induces the most growth.  I never considered myself to be much of a meat eater.  I always felt I could take it or leave it without too much trouble.  However, this is the first time I have ever tried going without. 

Eating this way, even after one week, has made me realize the absurd amounts of animal product that were in my diet.   Let me tell you, Coke is not the only thing I am addicted to.  I’m addicted to cheese!  I never totally realized how much I consumed until I tried leaving it out of everything.  No cheese is by far the hardest part of this diet for me.  I consider that to be a good thing.  It has made me much more conscious of how much I consume, and for that I am grateful.

This program does not focus on the long term, and I think that is good.  Life is about living in the now.  When we live too much in the future or the past, we cause problems for ourselves.  Right now I am happy to be trying something new outside of my comfort zone.  I feel like I am learning a lot, and that has great value to me.

Going out to lunch and ordering a sandwich, hold the meat, and hold the cheese.  I realized there is also animal product in the mayo, and on the butter to toast the bread.  That is an awful lot of animal product for just one sandwich, and I am one person eating one meal.  Think about the huge quantities we eat as a country!

Being conscious is of upmost importance to me.  Spending this month completely conscious of my eating habits is going to help me moving forward into the future.  Going from allowing processed foods into my diet to none at all, is a HUGE eye opener.  I didn’t think I ate a lot of processed food, until I cut it out completely.  Now I realize I was wrong.  I was eating more processed food than I was aware of. 

This month is about pushing us outside of our comfort zone for growth by test driving a vegan diet.  Dr. Barnard’s 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart is our guidance and source of motivation for this month’s journey.  Be on the lookout for more Vegan recipes and updates on how this way of eating has impacted us.  Maybe I’ll even be able to convince my husband to write a guest post about his experience with the program at the end of it...wink wink, hint hint Hubby ;-)

Have a great weekend, friends!
 
Here is a video of Dr. Barnard on the Dr. Oz Show


Have you ever tried a Vegan diet?  Would you?  Why or Why not?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 


Comments

pat
05/14/2011 06:54

I have tired a vegan diet before. I liked it allot but got lazy with it as it is not easy when all around you are eating differently from you. I think it is an attitude and you just have to stick to your guns and feel good about it. Make adjustments where you can if you are out and have to compromise a little...well that's life.

Good luck!
P

Reply
05/14/2011 10:35

@Pat-

Thanks for the advice Pat! Have a great weekend :)

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05/14/2011 19:50

I tried to go vegan but after few days I gave in and had some cheese. I haven't had meat in ages, but dairy, oh please, don't take it away.
I really don't see myself living without cheese for more than 1 week, max!
Hope you have more strength than I do.

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05/14/2011 20:10

I once dated a vegan. We broke up when I ate lamb in front of him. I think I was rebelling against the "Meat Is Murder" sticker on the back of the helmet he used to make me wear, while riding on the back of his Vespa. I am really proud of you! What will and dedication. It is crazy how much animal products we do eat. The only problem I have, totally generalizing here, is that the people that I know who are total vegans- continually look malnourished (super skinny) and their hair looks like straw. Again only the Vegans I know (who all seem to powered by a will to lose weight than any social issue). Good going Wendy!
(p.s. use some really good conditioner Just Joking!)

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05/15/2011 08:52

You are really committed to this and it sounds like you are doing well. I admire your efforts. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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Yep, we eat way too much processed food. My parents are vegetarian (not vegan)and have been for many many years. I grew up that way. Like you I LOVE cheese. My parents eat dairy, fish & eggs. It's hard being a vegetarian (esp 30yrs ago), I can only imagine how hard it is to do a vegan diet.

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05/15/2011 17:35

It's so weird that I'm just now getting in to soda. Ugh. Hey, I got the eye pack yesterday! It's in the freezer and I'm going to use it tonight!!!!!!! yay!!

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05/16/2011 09:34

@Naomi-
You have me cracking up hysterically!

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05/26/2011 06:21

Wendy, whenever I remember to check your blog, I'm always inspired. I've been dairy-free for several months now, after being vegetarian for 20 years. I haven't cut eggs completely out of my diet, but dairy for sure was hard. Now, it doesn't even cross my radar. Isn't it interesting how our habits can change? I think it's awesome that you're jumping right into veganism. We eat a lot of processed foods here. They may be vegetarian, all natural, organic, sure - but processed - boxed, bagged, premade. I want to get back to more natural, basic foods. It's a matter of balancing time though... thinking about menus, what you're going to eat throughout the day, week, etc. and not buying convenience foods... actually MAKING TIME to cook.
Thank you for the inspiration to focus more on the basics!

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11/02/2011 14:47

Wendy,

I turned into a vegetarian 2 months ago.
The only animal product I eat is cheese about 3 times a week. I have constant headaches and lifting weights ("running on bio fuel") in the gym is a challenge. I keep asking myself: "Am I end up looking like Christian Bale in the movie "Machinist" ????? Well if so, who cares. It is not really about me . It's about the animals and the planet. All I need to do is to make sure that I do my part which staying away from animal products...

great GREAT share!

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11/03/2011 11:10

@Akos,

For me personally, I have found with being on a Vegan diet I have to eat lots of beans and include raw nuts or natural nut butters to get enough protein. When I don't do that I definitely feel like my body is lacking. Also, if I go to long without eating I feel very week compared to before. For headaches, a lot of times water really helps me with that. Making sure I drink a glass of water with each meal. Worth a try. I always told myself I would eat this way for as long as it felt right, taking it one month at a time, but my health is important to me.
My husband went on a Vegan diet, then off, and now back on a Vegan-ish diet. In addition to Vegan foods he eats seafood. For him that is a good healthy balance where he feels like he gets the protein his body needs.
Best wishes for finding a good route for you!

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