Vegan consequences: New jeans

Since going vegan, I've lost a few inches in my waist. I was not (and am not) interested in losing weight. In fact, I'd like to build more lean muscle mass. But, apparently, it was inevitable. So, I've dropped from a 33"/32" to a 30"/32"

Thankfully Marshall's was stacked with jeans in my size! So I picked up 2 pair for $50, and another pair of Levi's from Target for $30. I don't know if I just got lucky, or if my new size is uncommon. I hope so! My old size was so common they were the first to sell out. Now, if I can only get my feet to shrink or grow by a size I'd solve my shoe problem, too.

Bestest, fastest vegan breakfast ever

When I have this breakfast in the morning, my day is always better. I feel it when I walk down the hallways at work. I'm a bit lighter, quicker, happier. It gets me excited and wakes me up in the morning faster. It's almost like a shot of coffee. But whereas coffee used to wear me down eventually and dehydrate me, this drink and bread nourish and hydrate me. I don't ingest caffeine at all, and I haven't for a long time. I don't like my body or mood to be effected so drastically by a chemical that's not giving me any value.

Back to the breakfast. Green Drink. Toast. Earth Balance Spread. Simple as that. I pop the bread in the toaster, and make my drink while it's toasting. It's done before the toast, usually. My green drinks vary but a typical day's recipe would be:

3-4 medium size organic kale, stems cut out.
4-5 frozen mango pieces (or berries)
10 oz. Fortified rice milk
A splash of juice.
2 tbsp. ground flaxeed.
1 banana.

Follow my vegan adventures on Twitter!

Hello,

Since I now know my computer isn't coming back for at least a week, I'm going to be updating my Twitter feed a lot more than usual instead of blogging. Think of it as mini-blogging. Or twogging. Or bleeting. I keep it mostly veggie related. Anyway, check it out.

My laptop died

Sorry folks for not posting for a while. My laptop died a week ago and it's gonna be another week before I get it back, fixed. So, I'll have to give a brief rundown.

Bollocks. I ate cheese twice. Both times on pizza. And both times at the Delancey. (Yes, this is the place I said I was going to avoid since I was craving it.) The first time I was next door at a mexican place, and ended up at Delancey and sharing a pizza with a friend, and I gave myself permission. Then, it was kinda weird, but it started be down a slippery slope. I was craving it again and went just days later and ate another one. So, for reals, I'm avoiding this place now.

Apparently, for me, cheese really does have an addictive effect.

What else? I'm still lovin' my morning kale smoothies. I'm still eating a bunch of avocados and beans. I'm still loving how I feel. I feel better than ever.

That's all the time I have for now. More vegan adventures coming soon once I get my laptop back.

File under "WTF?!"

So, apparently the milk industry is lobbying hard to define milk as a product that comes from a lactating animal. Never mind of course the pesky dictionary whose 3rd definition of the word milk is:

"A liquid, such as coconut milk, milkweed sap, plant latex, or various medical emulsions, that is similar to milk in appearance."

 It was the topic of discussion on a FOX NY morning show today. One anchor offered up "Soy Juice" instead of soy milk as an option. The other is whacked out of her skull. Check it out.

Cheese-less pizza drama

I used to love going to the Delancey in Hollywood for great pizza and a wide selection of Belgian beers on tap. I avoided it for a while after going vegan because I figured it would be too tempting, and there was no reason to go without eating the pizza.

Along came an idea. I'll just order a cheese-less pizza! Problem solved. I'm not 100% sure it's totally vegan, but I think it's close enough. I get the "Fulton" pizza, with braised artichoke and roasted garlic. It's really, really good. So good I don't miss the cheese.

Well, it was a good idea the first couple times. But the last time I was there, one of my favorite pizzas was sitting not more than 12 inches away at the table next to me. Covered in multiple awesome cheeses. My advice is this: If you are teetering on wanting a conventional, non-vegan pizza, avoid drinking Belgian beer and sitting a foot away from one. I didn't give in, but it's gonna be a while before I go back. I'm gonna have to get that image of that pizza out of my head.

Vegan Meal at a wedding

Last weekend, I went to a great wedding. There wasn't a meal choice on the invitation, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Well, there were great vegan foods! There was hummus, pita and veggies for appetizers. And for the main course there was rice, pita, salad, and roasted veggies. It was definitely a full meal, and pretty tasty. (There was feta cheese on the salad and I tried to avoid it in my scoop. But, I caught a bit on a kalamata olive.)

However, I have to admit, I stuffed a couple bags of trail mix in my jacket pocket, just in case.