I didn’t know what this weekend was going to hold for me.  All I knew was that I was going to be camping with 400 of my closest friends, and with 12 of my best friends.  I loaded the cooler before departing with 6 huge vats of food, three things of hummus, and some scones.

Before I go into what happened while I was there, let me describe Playa del Fuego, PDF.  PDF creates it’s own reality, there is no commerce aloud, art is abundant, and anything goes.  I think that most people change in some way when they enter the gates, because the standard laws of society for the most part, cease to apply.  Things usually return to normal upon leaving, but a glimmer of the experience often remains.

I wasn’t too worried about staying vegan, as I don’t really get cravings for non-vegan food, however I realized during my last night of the event that I was no longer thinking about being vegan, I was just vegan.  Boxes of foodstuffs were causally picked up to see whether or not I could eat them, without the vegan chorus singing in my head.

People also loved the food I made, and there will be many e-mails sent with the titles of the cookbooks I used, and links to recipes.  And to my knowledge no one added dairy cheese to any of the dishes, they were consumed and enjoyed for what they were.   People walking on the path outside our camp also came in to see what we were eating, and they were fed too.

I think after four days of being immersed in my food, and me reassuring them that none of it had been hard to make, that my friends started looking at my veganism differently.  I was pretty much just like everyone else when it came to food that weekend.  I wasn’t seen as limiting myself in anyway.

One very cool thing was that there was no meat in our camp, and usually the only dishes present were vegan ones, with the occasional cheese here and there.  We also had tons of coffee and we creamed everyone’s coffee with soy milk, or they had to make due and drink it black.

The trip marked a transitioning point for me, being vegan is a way of life for me now, it isn’t something I’m constantly working to maintain or striving for.   I just know what to do now to stay cruelty free.

The week I went vegan, when the idea was merely a spec in my eye, I decided to replace my dying sandals and mary janes. I went ahead and ordered two pairs of Ragazzi shoes from Vegetarian Shoes and Bags. Yes, it took a month before they were finally the right size and on my feet, though that mostly has to do with me not priority mailing them back to California, and the fact that they are in California! I keep finding awesome strappy heels at my favorite thrift store Killer Trash, in Fells Point, though I stopped at buying one pair, because I already have a pair in black.

Shoes amazingly were an impetus for veganism. Because ordering them, while it involved a lot of patience, was incredibly easy, and didn’t break the bank. Every day the world gets a little friendlier towards vegans, and I can’t help but think that’s because there are more vegans in the world. And that new FDA regulation requiring allergens to be listed in bold on food packaging.

Beauty products abound, I have now been reunited with my once favorite Tea Tree Oil in the form of Dr. Bronner’s soap. I also found out that Gabriel Cosmetics that they carry at one of the Whole Foods around here are supposedly vegan, so I’s can gets some concealer and more pretty eye shadow. Not to mention that I love my Beauty Without Cruelty products. Sadly now that I have found alternatives that I don’t need to order through the mail, I may not be patronizing them as much anymore. However, I do recommend them.

Then there is the food! In one month of vegan cooking I have reached the point where I am modifying recipes for the better, and I will be posting my two latest creations shortly. One I have renamed Sun-dried Tomato Balsamic Couscous, and then there is Sun-dried Tomato Hummus with Cayenne Kick. Both have been taste tested and held in high regard. Cooking has become a soothing activity, and I have found that even though there are three highly regarded places to obtain vegan friendly food in Baltimore (look out for a post on this too), that I actually prefer my own cooking, which is a first for me, and I have been largely doing my own cooking since I was 15.

Other than the initial shock of people hearing the word “vegan” my freak status doesn’t last long. Once people smell my food reheating in the microwave they want to know what it is, how to make it, and possibly try some. There has been a ripple effect of people dappling with meat reduction in their diet, which while that term makes me cringe, it is the first logical step towards a plant-based diet.

My awareness of my body has increased, so has my awareness of my closely held beliefs. I don’t directly credit veganism, but I do believe that change begets change. I sadly contemplated going vegan for 10 years before doing it, was smoking cigarettes for just about as long. Quit and vegan after a decade makes life’s other quandaries seem simple to solve. Also to me true veganism is not just about the animals, it’s about the environment and people too (though really we’re included in the animal category).

For instance we’ve started recycling and using natural products to handle our cleaning, our trashcan is filled with decaying produce and other vegan matter, there is actually an exothermic reaction occurring in our trash can, as in you can feel heat when you stick your hand through the swivel door. This has convinced my husband and I to go one step further and begin composting as well. Though we still need to do our research and get the necessary supplies, it is an idea in the making. Going vegan started out as an idea too.

Lastly about two months ago I was speaking with a vegan friend about the possibility of me making the leap, we talked about how humans are creatures of habit, and unlikely to change. It was during that conversation I said “Maybe in September”, and here we are.

My sandals and mary janes came today from Ragazzi.  Not only are they vegan they are fair trade as well, and I love the shoes.  In fact they are similar to my dead leather ones (pardon the pun) that they are humanely replacing.  I think they are fantastic, and very comfortable and have been wearing them all evening.  I did find for me at least that they run a little small, and the solution was to get a size bigger than I normally wear.

I go to work from 8 to 5, where my master’s degree ranks low on the totem poll of graduate school wonders.  I need to look nice, yet remain ethical, how do I do it?

I wash myself in Dr. Bronner’s tea tree oil soap, I have both the bar and bottled varieties.  I use the bottle for when I’m washing my hands, floors, and soon (when I get the right recipes) dishes and clothes.  The soap is vegan, organic, and fair trade.  It does everything.  Tea tree oil is also a good anti-septic and smells really good.

Shampoo, lotion, and make-up needs are all currently being met by Beauty Without Cruelty. I like the products, though I will need to look into other vegan companies for more shades of eye shadow.

To keep my underarms from getting stinky I using Lady Mitchum deodorant which is made by Revlon.  It is accidentally vegan, but it is not tested on animals.  I find that it works well for me, and I sweat a lot on the bad days so I need the bad-for-the-environment antiperspirant, and all the other lovely chemicals.  When I can I will find a more ethical alternative.

I also use non-leather handbags, that are also fair trade.  Along with wallets, sunglass cases, and other small accessory items.  What about my ipod? My palm pilot?  They are now encased in plastic and metal, with neoprene lining.  My watch?  Has a metal band.

Now what about shaving cream, and razors?  Many of them are made by big corporations with evil chemicals and animal testing.  Not to mention animal byproducts in things like shaving cream.  My solution is that I don’t shave, because women in my opinion shouldn’t have to, and I have found that it is accepted at my place of employment, I wear skirts without nylons all the time.

Treat the animals well, treat the workers well, to treat yourself well.

Today is day 21 since going vegan. I feel fantastic physically even though my job has been demanding, and making me sick from stress. For the first time in my life I enjoy cooking, and I can’t remember the last time I had a meal out. We’re saving money on groceries, I have clear skin for the first time since I was 10, I am losing weight. Not to mention the fact that I’m no longer contributing the unnecessary harm of animals.

Today I made Brooklyn Pad Thai as per Vegan With a Vengeance, and am enjoying the lingering effects from too many margaritas. I am going through WAY too much soy milk, and may start making my own in a year or so. Though I feel I need to get way better at this cooking thing before committing myself. Not only is Silk evil, most soy containers can’t be recycled, I did spot some at Whole Foods though.

I continue to sow the seeds of veganism at my job. I am bringing in one of my cookbooks for yet another coworker to look at, and another is waiting for her vegan cookbook in the mail. I’ve gotten people into hummus and tofu, told people where to get vegan indian microwavable meals. The simple act of abstention has had amazing effects.

Of course you non-vegans want to know how easy this has been (maybe you’re hoping it’s been hard). Perhaps you wonder if I dream of dairy. The answer is that other than need to plan out a half an hour a day to cook (which we should all be doing anyways), and some strategic label reading life has continued as normal, except better for the reasons listed above.

I’ve read that due casein in dairy, dairy can be a little addictive and hard to give up. Having phased out dairy, I have had no issues, sometimes I want the end product like for instance cake, but I want it vegan. I want milk, but I want soy milk not dairy milk. The smell of dairy also really grosses me out. Not to mention the smell of eggs.

I know there hasn’t been much animal rights focus here yet, but I assure you I am just brushing up on my research. I feel that harming animals is wrong in my heart and gut, I need to work on why it is wrong as far as my brain is concerned. Give me a few weeks, but since I have a few minutes, let me tell you about the life of an egg laying chicken:

First there are the chicks that don’t make it, which would be any chick that is born male. They are often ground up alive as feed for the female chickens. As young chicks the egg layers have the ends of their beaks removed with a hot knife, because the cages they are confined to are so small that they become irritated and peck at each other.

Then they are placed in cages where they can’t even extend their bodies fully without their heads sticking out of the cages. Chickens used for food are usually killed after three weeks. You want to see it? Also find out how Free Range Free Range Is.

For the record I no longer consume any dairy, eggs, use any animal tested products, consume any refined sugar, alcohol made with isinglass, and am waiting on vegan fair trade shoes which should be arriving on Tuesday. Completely eliminating refined sugar is a commitment I only made several weeks ago, and I’ve probably made some mistakes. By the end of week four I am hoping to have worked out all the bugs in this vegan thing.

I went to my favorite thrift store today and picked up some vegan vintage shoes, they are cute and glittery. I actually can’t confirm that they are 100% vegan, but they are made from all man made materials, and are adorable.

From there I made my way over to Blue House where my friend works. I got an iced coffee with soy, and looked around a bit. Lots of tasteful home decorating types of things and their policy is:

bluehouse was created around the idea that you can have things that are at once beautiful, good for you, and good for the planet. Each product we carry meets one of six criteria for eco-friendliness and health, and most meet more than one

Doesn’t make them vegan friendly, but it definitely gives them some cool points. After that I walked over to Whole Foods, I think this may have been my first time in a Whole Foods and it was as disappointing as I expected it to be. Sure they had lemon grass and Dr. Bronner soap, but their staff new crap. I was looking at their makeup and a staff person asked me if I needed help, I asked if the makeup was vegan because I didn’t recognize the brands.

I was assured that the makeup was probably vegan and he handed me some literature to prove it to me. My eyes immediately went to the ingredient list, there was carmine, silk, and I stopped there. I informed him that he was wrong, and that their makeup was indeed NOT vegan.

On my way home I spotted a place called Nature & Herbs, they had a wide variety of herbs, homeopathics, essential oils, vegan friendly body products, incense, and all sorts of lovely things that vegans adore. I needed to pee, so I didn’t stay long, but I’m definitely going back.

Stew’s Up, will post stew pictures!

Their make-up is pretty nice, though the brown eyeshadow turned out to be more green, but I actually kinda like it.

Their lotion feels fantastic and their foundation is super smooth, though a little thin. For blemished areas you need to use a little extra.

I can’t wait to try the Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Conditioner. Beauty Without Cruelty was a good choice, though their eye shadow samples were a little off. Their lipstick however was spot on.