The storm's a coming!

Breakfast:

1/2 Amy's roasted vegetable pizza (no cheese)

zevia cola

Lunch:

1/2 cucumber

wai wai instant noodles, oriental style

Dinner:

asparagus (food pantry) with earth balance and parma

2 leftover enchiladas

Dessert:

pineapple upside-down cake

Snack:

jolly rancher, watermelon

glee gum, spearmint

Supplements:

Vitamin B12

Vitamin D2

Liver Rescue 4+

It's the last day of April and it's snowing. Snow is in the forecast for tomorrow too. I hope that I don't see snow again for at least 5 months after tomorrow. Today I started reading The Bond by Wayne Pacelle. It is the book for the month of May that I'm reading along with the vegnews book club.

Payday

Breakfast:

Apricot Nectar

bowl of betteroats raw pure & simple multigrain hot cereal: chai spiced (food pantry)

Lunch:

1/2 cucumber with veggie dip

2 leftover enchiladas

Dinner:

1/2 Amy's Roasted Vegetable Pizza (no cheese)

Zevia cola

Snack:

Alternative Baking Company peanut butter cookie

yellowtail shiraz cabernet wine

Supplements:

Vitamineral Green (heaping tablespoon)

Fruits of the Earth, from Healthforce Nutritionals (1 tablespoon)

Vitamineral Earth (2 teaspoons)

Vitamin D2 spray

Vitamin B12 spray

Liver Rescue 4+

My list of vegan options at local restaurants has slowly been coming together. So far, I've only been able to search menus online. Soon, I'm going to start visiting restaurants to get confirmation that certain dishes are/can be made vegan.

Also, I placed an order on veganessentials.com today, since I had a coupon code that was only good until tomorrow. I ordered a Personna Tri-Flexx razor (it was on sale for $3.74 and comes with 2 cartridges), The Obligate Carnivore by Jed Gillen (on sale for $9.99) and lots of other goodies including "cheese", meat-less jerky, donuts, cookies, caramels and candies (I know it's all junk/snack food, but none of it is available locally and I plan on rationing it all out so it lasts as long as possible).

Sunny day =)

Breakfast:
smoothie made with:apricot nectar, banana (food pantry), cashew butter, and garden of life raw protein powder (given to me by a friend)

Lunch:
1/2 cucumber

2 enchiladas made with corn tortillas, refried beans, enchilada sauce, salsa and hot sauce (refried beans and enchilada sauce from food pantry)

Dinner:

asparagus (food pantry) w/ earth balance butter and parma

gardein chik'n scallopini

uncle ben's mushroom wild rice

Snacks:

zevia root beer soda

primal strips hickory smoked

air-popped popcorn with parma and orville redenbachers buttery topping

Supplements:

Vitamineral Green (1 heaping tablespoon)

Fruits of the Earth, from Healthforce Nutritionals (1 tablespoon)

Vitamineral Earth (1.5 teaspoon)

Vitamin D2 spray

Vitamin B12 spray

Liver Rescue 4+

Today I started compiling a list of vegan options available at local restaurants in the Fargo-Moorhead area. I'm going to try to finish the list as quickly as I can, and I plan on posting it as soon as that happens. I might even have printed copies available at some point. I also went for a 2 mile long walk with the Walk This Way program out in in West Fargo.

Windy day in Fargo

Breakfast:

glass of apricot nectar

bowl of betteroats raw pure & simple multigrain hot cereal: chai spiced (food pantry)

Lunch:
1/2 can of healthy choice country vegetable soup (food pantry)
1/2 cucumber
organic potato chips
vegetable dip: tofutti sour cream, vegenaise and vegetable soup mix

Dinner (at a friend's house):
cucumber
sourdough bread
spicy red hummus
goulash

Dessert (at a friend's house):
banana, cherry and coconut milk ice cream

Snacks:
bear fruit organic apple cherry bar
organic potato chips
strawberry blowpop

Supplements:

Vitamineral Green (heaping tablespoon)

Fruits of the Earth, from Healthforce Nutritionals (1 tablespoon)

Vitamineral Earth (1.5 teaspoons)

Vitamin D2 spray

Vitamin B12 spray

Liver Rescue 4+

I'm still in need of a vegan-friendly razor, so I'm planning on ordering either a Personna Tri-flexx or a Wally from www.veganessentials.com the next time that I place an order. For shaving cream, I currently use Trader Joe's moisturizing cream shave: honey mango. Post-shave, I use Herbology Bump-B-Gone.

I went to the gym today with a couple of friends. I spent 30 minutes strength training and 20 minutes walking on the treadmill. I'm going to be participating in a 5k in about a month from now, so I'm going to try to focus on doing lots of walking between now and then. It's a good thing my gym is offering a walking group every week (starting next week).

Cloudy day

Breakfast:

smoothie made with 1.5 cups orange juice and a banana (food pantry)

Lunch (at a friend's house):

green salad with raspberry walnut vinagrette dressing

whole wheat rotini with "cheese" sauce

Dinner:

2 enchiladas made with corn tortillas, refried beans, enchilada sauce, salsa and hot sauce (refried beans and enchilada sauce from food pantry)

Snack:

cool fruits freezer, cherry

calbee snack salad veggie mix (food pantry)

Supplements:

Vitamineral Green (heaping tablespoon)

Fruits of the Earth, from Healthforce Nutritionals (tablespoon)

Vitamineral Earth (1 teaspoon)

Vitamin D2 spray

Vitamin B12 spray

Liver Rescue 4+

Today I spent 10 minutes hula hooping while I was waiting for my enchiladas to bake in the oven. Hooping is one of my favorite physical activities, and I know that it's very important to do things that you enjoy (when it comes to exercise).

Also, I decided to purchase a csa (community supported agriculture) share from Ancient Roots & Yellow Bird. I'm paying $250 for a single share, which lasts from early June until mid October. I used to purchase produce from both of these farms at the only all organic farmer's market in the area last summer (outside of Sydney's Health Market in Moorhead, MN), so I've already met a couple of the people involved with growing the food. It's still over a month before I'll start getting my weekly share, but I'm already very excited to be a part of it!

Another day in the life

Breakfast:
orange juice and banana smoothie (food pantry)

Lunch:

tofurkey deli slices, tomato, spinach and vegenaise on whole wheat bread (spinach and bread from food pantry)

baby carrots

brocolli (food pantry)

vegetable dip: tofutti sour cream, vegenaise and vegetable soup mix

Dinner:

ching's secret Szechuan instant noodles

cool fruits freezer, grape

Snack:

animal crackers

Supplements:
Vitamineral Green (heaping tablespoon)
Fruits of the Earth (1 tablespoon)
Vitamineral Earth, from Healthforce Nutritionals (1 teaspoon)
Vitamin D2 spray
Vitamin B12 spray
Liver Rescue 4+

I just discovered today that the Maple River Winery (located in Casselton, ND) produces vegan wines! I'm in the process of organizing a Meetup for our FMVeg group to take a tour. I've never been in a winery before, so I'm really excited for this! Also, I made it Aqua Lite (water aerobics class) at the YMCA today. I haven't gotten any exercise since Wednesday, so it felt good to start a new week by going to the gym =)

Easter Sunday

The game night that I hosted last night was a lot of fun! I got to see a lot of friends from the FMVeg group and we played a good game of Cranium, while sharing delicious vegan food =)

Breakfast:

smoothie made with 1.5 cups orange juice and a banana (food pantry)

Lunch (at the Garden Pavillion):

pasta salad

grapes, strawberries, pineapple, canteloupe, musk melon

green beans

golden corn

steamed red potatoes

tomato zucchini frittata

chocolate coconut cream pie

edible flower

Dinner:

ching's secret manchurian instant noodles

cool fruits fruit juice freezer (cherry)

Snack:

air-popped popcorn with orville redenbachers popping & topping buttery flavored oil, sea salt and parma (raw vegan parmesan)

Supplements:

Vitamineral Green (heaping tablespoon)

Fruits of the Earth, from Healthforce Nutritionals (tablespoon)

Vitamin D2 spray

Vitamin B12 spray

Liver Rescue 4+

The Garden Pavillion is a locally owned restaurant that I visited for the first time today. They were working with our FMVeg group to provide vegan options on their buffet for up to 20 people. I'm really glad that I had the chance to show them how much it means to me by being there and supporting their efforts. I also had some of the best customer service in my life while I was dining there. The staff was friendly and they were all making sure that I knew what items were vegan and also informing me when they brought out new things. The chef even came out and talked to me! It was truly one of the best dining experiences I've ever had =)

FMveg Game Night

Breakfast:

glass of tropicana orange juice (food pantry)

bowl of betteroats raw pure & simple multigrain hot cereal: chai spiced (food pantry)

Lunch:

BST: bacos, spinach, tomato, vegenaise on whole wheat bread (spinach and bread from food pantry)

1/2 cucumber (food pantry)

1/2 can of healthy choice country vegetable soup (food pantry)

Potluck Dinner:

garlic hummus with ritz crackers and baby carrots (crackers and hummus from food pantry)

sweet potato fries with ketchup (fries from food pantry)

pineapple, watermelon, canteloupe

fruit leather

sun chips

chocolate cake with frosting

chocolate fudge with marshmallows, walnuts and cherries

Snack:

tofurkey deli slices

sun chips

Supplements:
Vitamineral Green (heaping tablespoon)
Vitamin B12 spray
Vitamin D spray
Liver Rescue 4+ (2 vcaps)

Tonight I am hosting a FMveg Game Night in my home. FMveg is a local group of vegetarians and vegans in the Fargo-Moorhead area. We meet for potlucks, restaurant outings and movie showings at least once or twice a month. If you're interested in checking us out, go to: http://www.meetup.com/fm-veg. I have found it to be very helpful to have a support network of people around me. It's also nice to have like-minded individuals to meet up with!

I've been reading "Vegan's Daily Companion: 365 Days of Inspiration for Cooking, Eating and Living Compassionately" this month along with the vegnews online book club. You can check them out here: http://vegnewsbookclub.blogspot.com. It has been a wonderful read and I've already been practicing some of the things suggested in the book. I plan on borrowing this book to my grandparents when I'm finished, so they can better understand the reasons for a vegan lifestyle.

I failed to mention yesterday that I use Naturally Fresh deodorant (I prefer the spray). I also use Auric Blends Temple Essence solid perfume (my favorite is Royal Amber). The natural fragrance is blended with beeswax and coconut oil and comes in a beautiful hand carved soapstone container. Also, I always use organic cottons in my bathroom (swabs, rounds and balls). Someday, I will purchase organic towels and bedding for my apartment =)

Becoming Vegan

Today is Earth Day and it is also my first day of being vegan. I decided about a month ago that I was finally going pull the trigger and stop eating dairy and eggs on this day. I have been an ovo-lacto vegetarian for almost 10 years and becoming vegan has always been in the back of my mind. I know that I'm ready for this change and I am welcoming it with open arms.

My reasons for becoming vegetarian were ethical at the time, and have also transitioned into being for my health too. My reasons for becoming vegan are the same: living a healthy, ethical lifestyle. I am still going to consume honey and bee pollen at this time, and use products that contain beeswax (so don't be alarmed if you read anything about these ingredients).

I have intentions of using this blog to keep track of my dietary habits (I certainly don't want to become a junk-food vegan) and also to show you how easy it can be to eat a vegan diet and live a vegan lifestyle. And I want it to be known that it doesn't have to cost a lot of money either.

Friday, April 22nd:

Breakfast:

glass of tropicana orange juice (food pantry)

bowl of betteroats raw pure & simple multigrain hot cereal: chai spiced (food pantry)

Lunch:

1/2 can of Amy's organic pasta and 3 bean soup (food pantry)

BST: bacos, spinach, tomato and vegenaise (vegan mayo) on 100% whole wheat bread (bread and spinach from food pantry)

1/2 cucumber (food pantry)

Supper:

veggie stir-fry: mushrooms, snow peas, teriyaki sauce, wok oil, seasonings (mushrooms and snow peas from food pantry)

Bragg's Liquid Aminos

chow mein noodles

ramen noodles

Snacks:
Tofurkey deli slice
cool fruits freezer, grape flavor
handful of guittard semi-sweet chocolate chips

Supplements:

Liver Rescue 4+ from Healthforce Nutritionals (2 vcaps)

Vitamin B12 from Pure Vegan (1 spray)

Vitamin D2 from Pure Vegan (1 spray)

Vitamineral Green from Healthforce Nutritionals (1 heaping tablespoon, mixed into orange juice at breakfast)

B12 is an important vitamin for most people to be taking (especially vegans). Also, methylcobalamin is a far better form than cyanocobalamin. D2 (or D3) is important for everyone to take, especially if you don't get 15 minutes of being out in the sunshine without sunscreen on every day. Vitamineral Green is my multi-vitamin/greens powder. Liver Rescue is what I take to support my liver. All of the supplements that I take were ordered from www.iherb.com, which has the best prices that I could find and free S&H if you spend over $40.

I use Eco-Dent products for all of my dental hygiene (floss, toothpowder and mouth rinse). Derma E products are what I use for all of my skincare needs (both my face and body), although sometimes I use grapeseed oil with lavender (or coconut oil) on my skin after I'm done bathing/showering. I use Giovanni products on my hair (for washing and styling). The Diva Cup is what I use for feminine hygiene (and I use Diva Wash to clean it). All of the things that I use in my hygienic routine were purchased from www.luckyvitamin.com, which has very reasonable prices and free S&H if you spend over $100.