Vegan-ish

I have been a happy, healthy vegetarian for almost two years. Actually, I've basically been a vegetarian all my life. I never remember enjoying meat. The only way I'd eat eggs was by smothering them in ketchup. Manwich night almost always got me sent to bed hungry and the words meat and loaf put together would send me screaming from the kitchen. This is not to say my vegetarian diet has always been successful. In H.S. my idea of vegetarian eating consisted of cereal and bagels. Neither of which are actually vegetables.

During my pregnancy with my oldest daughter I craved meat, eating big macs and any other form or carcass I could get my grubby little paws on. This was without a doubt responsible for the 70lbs I gained. Yes, 70 lbs! On my 5'1 frame...it wasn't pretty. Unless you're into the dump truck look. Thankfully youth was on my side and those lbs melted away with lightning speed. With both of my boys I ate meat but without the same tenacity as my first pregnancy. To this day she is the biggest carnivore out of all three kids.

As a more responsible and slightly more intelligent adult I decided to give vegetarianism another try actually including vegetables this time. I still kept dairy in my diet but kept everything low-fat or part-skim. This past summer full of moving, relocating and overall stress I slipped off my healthy living pedestal. My favorite treat became...get ready for it...egg and cheese biscuits from Mc. Donalds. GASP, I know. FL shanny would of sooner starved to death than allow one of those to pass her lips!

I am happy to announce that I have kicked the E&C biscuit habit and am back on track! March 1st I decided to go Vegan. By March 20th I decided to modify my new title as vegan-ish. I gave it my best shot. Truly I did, but let's face it tofutti does NOT taste like cream cheese. Quinoa IS a healthy and filling grain but for the love of God it smells like old gym socks! I love to bake vegan and have learned a lot of great tips to substitute the bad fats with more flavorful alternatives that result in moist and delicious muffins, cakes and cookies. But let's keep it real about tofu- the shizz is gross! You can drain it, strain it, press, slice and marinade it. Anyway you cut it, it just doesn't taste good. Don't even get me started on the "vegan" cheese. I'll opt for no cheese before I choke anymore of that crap down. Even my dog ( whom I've seen eat unmentionables) sniffed, and kept on going. In conclusion, while I will still absolutely not eat any form of carcass, will drink almond milk (because I like it), and eat lot's of healthy grains( not stinky quinoa) I can no longer categorize myself as a vegan. Vegan-ish is good enough for me.

Avocado is my favorite! Just had to include this beautiful photo ;)