My life has been a bit hellish, though I’m not going to bore you with that.  Instead I am going to tell you how I have remained vegan despite 8 days of illness, crazy work hours, and being out at all hours, and having a dysfunctional kitchen.

I must say I have become the expert at ordering out vegan food pretty much anywhere I go.  Somehow I also managed to coordinate a lunch with my parents and in-laws at a restaurant where everyone was happy.  I’ve had cheeseless pizza loaded with veggies, burritos, countless orders of french fries, loads of chana masala and other indian delicacies.  Along with dishes I don’t know the names of from the Yabba Pot, and lots of Thai.

When I’m on the run, which is often, I’ve been getting lots of Amy’s and other varieties of vegan instant food.  My new favorite is Amy’s line of burritos and hot pockets which are filling but come in little tiny boxes.  When I do have a moment to throw something together I’ve been making 10 minute salad with my food processor.  There are times when I just need an easy snack and those are the days when I go for the blue corn chips and salsa.

I’ve been in a survival mode, and those tend to be times when I have trouble eating at all.  A few weeks ago I was in very poor health, but I have quickly turned that around.  If I can manage to be a new vegan in these stressful times, then I think it is really possible for anyone.

I love my doctor, the shame of it is, that everyone else loves him too, so it takes forever to see him.  I had to schedule my appointment a month in advance, and when I got to his office there was an hour and a half wait.  He notoriously runs behind because he likes to spend time with patients and provide good care.

He came into the office and asked what was new?  I told him a lot was new.  I was upfront about going vegan, and he was actually a little confused about a vegan was.  Though he didn’t mind when I told him I don’t eat any animal products.  He agreed with me that we should check my absorption of my major vitamins to make sure I’m getting what I need.

He also said he thought whatever I was doing was working for me, and was amazed that I hadn’t really lost any weight since my last visit, in reality I did I gained 7lbs and lost 7lbs, but that I looked healthier and slimmer than my last visit.  The only complaint I had was night time allergies.

This was a happy appointment because in the past I have struggled with migraines, and flareups of some other medical conditions I have.  This was the first time in a year or so that things were going well.

Today we decided to head over to my parents’ house. Along the way I knew I would be hungry so we stopped by David’s Natural Market to pick up some bulgar and some lunch. It was kind of a sad homecoming, I used to work there, and when I did the cafe was nearly completely vegan. I had a rough time finding something I could eat there and had to order my food without bread because the only options were whole wheat, which usually contain honey. However, their soups were vegan, and were very delicious. David’s continues to have a very large selection of foodstuffs, though the staff these days don’t seem to be as knowledgeable, though the management is largely the same.

I got a new winter coat today, picture to come, it isn’t anything special, and comes from JC Penney’s. So the labor practices are somewhat questionable. The coat is mostly synthetic (though I prefer cotton), and is very nice looking but practical. It also has a removable lining, and is of course, vegan. It was on sale for $80, which is pretty good for a new versatile, completely machine washable winter coat. Since I lack photos, here is one. I know I could do better, but this was what was feasible this time around. I’ve been searching the union and fair trade companies on the internet and haven’t found anything comparable to this.

Then we went and got new glasses, that actually match our plates, and also I got some bar mops for the kitchen, several different kinds. I am hoping to phase out paper towels completely, but I know that will take awhile. I will soon also be making my own laundry detergent using Dr Bronner’s, Borax, and washing soda (equal parts). I’ve already switched to using citrus cleaner in the kitchen, and it has been working really well. Not only are these products vegan, and not tested on animals, they are also better for the environment which I think is important as well. I say it in nearly every post so I will stop the spiel there.

When we got home I hit the kitchen and started making Seitan and Portabello Stroganoff, from a recipe I got from Vegan with a Vengeance. It came out 110% delicious. Today was also the day we decided to do Thanksgiving at my parent’s house and I will be making a ton of vegan dishes to contribute to the meal. Over the past few weeks I have become so confident in my cooking abilities. I am now tackling more complex recipes, and feeling comfortable making some adjustments. Considering that I started this process barely able to cook at all, I think I am living proof that cooking is a learned skill just like everything else. I don’t think I will ever be a cooking genius, but in a short period of time I feel like I’ve become confident.

Today I consumed at least three servings of fruit, in about three minutes, without chewing a single bite.  After work I want a tasty snack, and all that was available to me was the 7-11.  Tropicana, which I’m not terribly fond of ended up providing me with a fruit smoothie and pure orange juice (most likely from concentrate).  Though something to keep an eye out on with the smoothies, see carmine is all natural, unlike red 40.  AND carmine comes from beetles, unlike red 40.  This is one of those instances where the all natural route becomes a cruel route.

Not to mention I don’t like to eat things with high fructose corn syrup or dye anyways, I find it disturbing.  Such ingredients also wreck my skin and make me feel gross.  Being vegan is not an excuse to eat processed crap just because it’s vegan, no matter what PETA says.  I use veganism as a means to know what is going into my body, and eating purer foods.

I still eat potato chips, but only the kind where the ingredients read potatoes, *insert veggie oil here*, and salt.  Because I am sick of this confusing, so processed it makes my head hurt to find out where it comes from, crap.  Same with juices and candies, though candy usually disappoints me with mysterious sugar-like ingredients.

However, since going vegan and increasing the amount of fruit I eat has decreased my desire to eat sweets.  I can’t remember the last time I ate something that contains high fructose corn syrup.  I’ve had chocolate a handful of times.  I am eating better, and it’s an indirect consequence of me eating more ethically.  I know it’s not good for the environment, and possibly not even vegan to eat highly processed crap like high fructose corn syrup, so I don’t consume it.  Veganism to me is not just about animals, it’s about the environment and people as well.  Not to mention that people are indeed animals.

Being vegan (to me) means making a conscientious effort to recycle, it means making the effort to buy from companies that don’t use sweat shop labor, it means promoting unions, buying eco-friendly products, it is all a part of one big package.  Because what kind of world will we have if we have liberated animals but everything else is falling a part?

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.

I spent the entire day cooking.  I made two different types of wraps (tofu and falafel), three kinds of hummus, black bean salad, slightly screwed up pad thai, tahini green bean salad, mushroom risotto, orange scones, and probably something I’m forgetting.

On top of that I have been gathering up all my vegan cosmetics, and body care items, and clothes, and shoes, and art supplies.   I still have a page long list of things I need to pack, and I need to clean the kitchen before I can get out of here.

This trip is going to be fantastic, and for me at least, it’s going to be entirely vegan.

One interesting thing to note, from breaking in my new shoes I got a little infection on my left big toe, I scrubbed it with some Dr. Bronner’s Tea Tree Oil Soap and let it air out a bit, and the infection looks like it has cleared.

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.

1 Can Chick Peas

2 Tablespoons Tahini

1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic

1 Tablespoon Flaxseed Oil

1/3 cup lemon juice

3 Sun-dried Tomatoes

1/4 Red Onion

Puree Red Onion and Sun-Dried Tomatoes in a Food Processor,  then stop and add rest of the ingredients, puree again, viola, hummus.

This hummus is a little sweet with some kick from the red onion, it might be advisable to add some cumin to this recipe, or go down to a 1/6 or 1/8 red onion.  Or both!

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’m sick, I’m going on 3 hours of sleep, I have a cold, and I drank way too much alcohol last night.  However, other than my voice being a little unsteady I feel fine.

We now have a big basket on our dining room table full of fruit.  We have pears, apples, peaches, grapes, oranges, and canteloupe in the fridge.  I woke up this morning and had a pear and a big glass of orange juice.  Then for lunch my husband and I went out in the backyard and consumed most of a canteloupe while lounging in our hammock.

I came in drank more orange juice, maybe had an apple or two.  Then I made myself some lime cayenne hummus, and lemon braised tofu wraps. Then I got a spicy vegan burrito out.  Not only was all this delicious, I am feeling pretty good considering the circumstances.  Throughout this entire cold I haven’t taken a single Tylenol or sucked on a single lozenge.  Behold the power of good eating.