There are a couple of ways to be vegetarian, a good way, and a bad way. To this point, I have done it the good way. I have eaten vegetables, hearty whole grains, beans, lentils; I have avoided fried foods and ridiculous amounts of cheese.
All that changed this weekend, when I was "the bad vegetarian."
It actually started last Thursday. We ordered pizza in for lunch at work since we had a training. And just like that it spiraled out of control. I had the pizza, afterall, I had to eat, right? I knew I was going to our monthly wine night with my friends - there is a theme and we all bring food and wine to match the region. I knew my food options would be limited since it is all carnivores, so I felt the pizza warranted.
Then, it was Friday. I was getting ready to eat the rest of my leftover kale chips and quinoa that I had brought in on Wednesday, and I walked in the kitchen at work, and saw it. Someone had put the leftover pizza out. I didn't eat breakfast, and pizza sounded so much better than what I had in the queue. So, I ate some leftover pizza. It was like running the gauntlet of tempation on Friday. As I walked back to my office from our kitchen area, I passed by the corner of death - the place where all of our printers reside, but what is also the place where sweets go to die. People have leftover anything, it goes right next to the printers. It was the scene of the crime for the previous cupcake misadventure.. And there they were. An entire tray of Magnolia cupcakes, sitting there.
As previously cited, cupcakes are my kryptonite. I've always considered myself a "meat and potatoes" kind of girl, but I can't resist a good cupcake. In my delusional and weak mind, I was like, "Well, I already had the pizza, so this day has gone to shit." Both as far as watching what I eat, and trying to eat vegan. So, I had the caramel cupcake (and had I saw the red velvet one, I would've had that). Again, I had the buyer's remorse, and again I felt like complete crap. Why, oh why, can't I learn from my past mistakes!
So after the pizza, and the cupcake debacle, I had a suprise party to go to. I had to go straight from walking the dogs to get there before the man of honor did. I didn't eat. And guess what they had? Pizza and wings. While the wings, possibly one of my favorite foods ever, residing right above cupcakes on the scale of things I can not resist, did tempt me, I stood my ground. But there, I was back at the pizza. Pizza for 3 of 4 meals in two days. Sometimes I ask myself, why can't I lose weight. Well, I think we all have the answer.
I drank a lot of beer, but didn't eat a lot, and woke up feeling tired and groggy. I went to the corner store (which, I refer to all corner stores as "carry-outs" which a lot of people think I am ridiculous for, is this not normal? Do other people not call corner stores, "carry outs"? I digress, as this is not on point here, but it's very concerning to me), and guess what I got to eat? A cheese pizza. So at this point, I am 48 hours, and for 4 of 5 meals I have eaten pizza. The shame in writing this is lingering.
As if this was not enough, for dinner, Jeff decided he wanted alfredo pasta, and who was I to argue against this in the 3 day binge I was working on (which was literally about to be a 4-5 day binge when all was said and done). So we had a mushroom and alfredo pasta. It was tasty. It was not vegan. I drank an entire bottle of wine, while watching Season 1 of The Walking Dead. (FYI, I don't like scary things. I don't like zombies. But this show is legitimately, the shit.) I felt like the walking dead myself. Fitting.
Sunday did not get any better. I had the leftover pasta for lunch, and for dinner, Jeff and I had a weird mix of fingerling potatoes and bok choy in an asian marinade that needed to be cooked. Random, I know, but after all the crap I had over the past few days, I was in a food coma already. Jeff suggested one of the vegan cinnamon rolls he ordered from Cinnaholic, and who was I to say no to the sweetness that was the caramel frosting he ordered in addition to the big tub of regular icing.
My food coma lasted through Monday, which I had off due to President's day. I did not eat all day (sans the mimosa I had at the bar when I stopped in on my way to meetup with my friends) until I went shopping with my pals at Costco around 3pm, at that point it was blantantly obvious I needed food as I wanted to ravage all the samples. It also seemed like it was vegetarian sample day - I had samples of: salsa and chips, feta cheese, and a cheese and rice burrito. I also purchased $265 dollars worth of good stuff, which I will speak to in my next post.
I got home, and said, f*ck it. I mean, I might as well end the long weekend with a bang. I made half a package of cheese tortellini, roasted my own garlic and tomatoes with olive oil in the oven to make a tomato sauce, roasted up some brussel sprouts, and called it a day. This, and the potato/bok choy meal, were probably the healthiest things I had since Thursday. Not the first time, or the last I'm sure of it, I felt ashamed, disgusted, gross...
I'm bringing my leftover brussel sprouts, kale, and quinoa for lunch tomorrow, and a grapefruit for breakfast. The dark side called my name for a little while, but its time to get back on the wagon. I hope its a little while until I am this "bad" of a vegetarian again. Please god, keep the f'in cupcakes away from the printer!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Kale Chips (VG)
I'm becoming a veggie person because I really have no other choice. But either my mind is playing tricks on me, or I really am starting to like them, because every veggie I have tried I have really, actually enjoyed. And I don't even care what the reasoning behind it is, I'll take it!
Regardless, I was very skeptical of the idea of kale chips. I thought, this is something people eat when they are trying to lose weight and convince themselves that it tastes good. This is not something people want to eat, let alone choose to eat.
Well, guess what, they taste f'in ridiculous. You all already think I'm drinking the vegetarian kool-aide, but seriously. And I don't want to always use Jeff as my evidence of proof, but I wish I had a picture of him standing over the stove, shoveling them into his mouth.
I also want to dispel some of what I have read on the Internet regarding their staying power. I have eaten the leftovers for lunch two days in a row, and they tasted just as good as they did on day one fresh out of the oven.
They are also the easiest thing I have ever made. I preheated the oven to 425. I used a bag of ready to cook kale from Trader Joe's, removed some of the lingering stems from the bag and the leaves, and dumped the rest onto a cookie sheet. I drizzles two or three tablespoons of olive oil over the kale, and used my McCormick garlic salt grinder to season it liberally. I also tossed on a few dashes of season salt.
I put the kale in the oven and kept a close eye on it. I left it in there about ten minutes until the leaves browned. Be very careful to monitor the kale as t cooks; I made another batch today and burned it because I left it in there a little too long.
Regardless, I was very skeptical of the idea of kale chips. I thought, this is something people eat when they are trying to lose weight and convince themselves that it tastes good. This is not something people want to eat, let alone choose to eat.
Well, guess what, they taste f'in ridiculous. You all already think I'm drinking the vegetarian kool-aide, but seriously. And I don't want to always use Jeff as my evidence of proof, but I wish I had a picture of him standing over the stove, shoveling them into his mouth.
I also want to dispel some of what I have read on the Internet regarding their staying power. I have eaten the leftovers for lunch two days in a row, and they tasted just as good as they did on day one fresh out of the oven.
They are also the easiest thing I have ever made. I preheated the oven to 425. I used a bag of ready to cook kale from Trader Joe's, removed some of the lingering stems from the bag and the leaves, and dumped the rest onto a cookie sheet. I drizzles two or three tablespoons of olive oil over the kale, and used my McCormick garlic salt grinder to season it liberally. I also tossed on a few dashes of season salt.
I put the kale in the oven and kept a close eye on it. I left it in there about ten minutes until the leaves browned. Be very careful to monitor the kale as t cooks; I made another batch today and burned it because I left it in there a little too long.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Eggplant Parmesan Stacks (V), with Cinnaholic Cinnamon Rolls (VG)
Valentine's day. A holiday we would have normally celebrated with steaks and potatoes. In fact, it was with great sadness I cancelled the reservations I has made at Ditka's only two months ago.... Ditka's, my old favorite restaurant, the one that serves one of my favorite meat meals of all time. As I logged onto open table, it only took one click to see my dreams of old vanish, but I instantly felt relief.
It was sad, but I didn't really want to go out anywhere. Too soon, too sad, too much. Jeff suggested an eggplant parmesan, but I wasn't too crazy about the idea. One of the hardest things about trying to eat not just vegetarian, but trying to eat less eggs and dairy, is that I love cream based foods - Alfredo, creamy soups, cheesy goodness...and I wanted something like that for our special meal.
However, I was googling recipe ideas, and nothing really struck me. Jeff also wooed me by saying we could have fresh mozzarella with our eggplant, so again, I failed to hold true to the anti-dairy line. I'm calling myself out here, as usual, because I need to be honest with myself. I gave up meat, I don't know why it's so hard to just give up the rest, I think part of me needs something to hold onto still. One step at a time, it's my mantra...and I still feel good that I am eating far less dairy, and even a less amount of eggs, than I was consuming.
I'm glad I let him talk me into the eggplant - it was great. We've had it before, but this time it was exceptionally good. Jeff cut the eggplant into 1/2 inch slices, and fried it with bread crumbs and olive oil. Then he put one layer of the eggplant slices in the bottom of a baking pan. On top of the first layer of eggplant, we put fresh sliced basil, fresh mozzarella, and a sprinkling of diced onions. Then we did another layer of the same, eggplant, mozzarella, onion, basil. We bought a 32 ounce can of store bought Hunt's roasted garlic and onion tomato sauce. We could've roasted our own tomatoes and made our own sauce, but quite frankly, its a Tuesday. Who has time for that on a Tuesday. We poured it over the top of the eggplant layers, and tossed it at the oven at 350. We left it in there about 25 minutes until it bubbled, and then took it out of the oven and let it cool down for another 10 until serving it. It was so phenomenal I will definitely be eating the leftovers tomorrow.
Perhaps the best part of the night was my valentine's day gift from Jeff. I had a heart shaped cheese pizza delivered to him at work for lunch, but he absolutely one-upped me by special ordering me vegan cinnamon rolls from Cinnaholic bakery in Berkley, CA. These were the real deal! I may have a hard time giving up cheese, but I no longer have any excuses on eating non-vegan sweets. These things taste just as good as any regular cinnamon roll you might find. Now I just have to find a good vegan cupcake!
Regardless, the meal
It was sad, but I didn't really want to go out anywhere. Too soon, too sad, too much. Jeff suggested an eggplant parmesan, but I wasn't too crazy about the idea. One of the hardest things about trying to eat not just vegetarian, but trying to eat less eggs and dairy, is that I love cream based foods - Alfredo, creamy soups, cheesy goodness...and I wanted something like that for our special meal.
However, I was googling recipe ideas, and nothing really struck me. Jeff also wooed me by saying we could have fresh mozzarella with our eggplant, so again, I failed to hold true to the anti-dairy line. I'm calling myself out here, as usual, because I need to be honest with myself. I gave up meat, I don't know why it's so hard to just give up the rest, I think part of me needs something to hold onto still. One step at a time, it's my mantra...and I still feel good that I am eating far less dairy, and even a less amount of eggs, than I was consuming.
I'm glad I let him talk me into the eggplant - it was great. We've had it before, but this time it was exceptionally good. Jeff cut the eggplant into 1/2 inch slices, and fried it with bread crumbs and olive oil. Then he put one layer of the eggplant slices in the bottom of a baking pan. On top of the first layer of eggplant, we put fresh sliced basil, fresh mozzarella, and a sprinkling of diced onions. Then we did another layer of the same, eggplant, mozzarella, onion, basil. We bought a 32 ounce can of store bought Hunt's roasted garlic and onion tomato sauce. We could've roasted our own tomatoes and made our own sauce, but quite frankly, its a Tuesday. Who has time for that on a Tuesday. We poured it over the top of the eggplant layers, and tossed it at the oven at 350. We left it in there about 25 minutes until it bubbled, and then took it out of the oven and let it cool down for another 10 until serving it. It was so phenomenal I will definitely be eating the leftovers tomorrow.
Perhaps the best part of the night was my valentine's day gift from Jeff. I had a heart shaped cheese pizza delivered to him at work for lunch, but he absolutely one-upped me by special ordering me vegan cinnamon rolls from Cinnaholic bakery in Berkley, CA. These were the real deal! I may have a hard time giving up cheese, but I no longer have any excuses on eating non-vegan sweets. These things taste just as good as any regular cinnamon roll you might find. Now I just have to find a good vegan cupcake!
Regardless, the meal
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Hangover
I went to a bachelorette party on Saturday. I drank a lot. I woke up in a hazy, hungover stupor.
Maybe it was the fact I didn't eat much, I only had a 1/2 a box of Mac and cheese all day Saturday. Jeff kindly reminded me that I shouldn't be eating cheese, but I informed him that it was in his best interest that I get a good base for Saturday night's festivities. Turns out, it probably wouldn't have mattered what I ate before I went out because I had way too much fun for that to even factor in.
The old adage is that as you age, the mind is sometimes willing but the body can be no longer able. This is how I feel about going out. I'm two times slower to recover, two times more likely to feel absolutely awful, and eighty times more likely to want to eat the worst thing I possibly can to make myself feel better the next day. This was the first time I have gone out full on since becoming vegetarian, and man was it hard for me Sunday morning (iactuallymeansundayafternoonat2pmwheniwokeup). I wanted bacon. I wanted eggs. I wanted a burger, a steak, a gyro. Pulled pork, BLT, patty melt. I wanted anything besides something without meat.
What this showed me is at this point, consistency is still key. I eat the same thing for breakfast every day. I eat the same thing for lunch, unless I have leftovers. I have a few go-to meals. I love food; I consider myself a foodie even, but staying in a pattern right now until I reach a more comfortable and safe place is what is going to carry me through this. I need to know what my options are in every situation. Luckily for me, I was so nauseous that I didn't really have the willpower to make a bad decision.
Just when I was at my weakest, the universe sent me a message when I least expected it. I had been dealing with the cravings all day, and suddenly, during the Grammys, this commercial aired from chipotle. It's small steps like this that remind me why I started this journey
to begin with.
And even though the cravings still lingered today, I'm proud to say, I resisted the temptations and am still meat free.
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=aMfSGt6rHos
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2008/05/03/a-chain-that-pigs-would-die-for.html
Maybe it was the fact I didn't eat much, I only had a 1/2 a box of Mac and cheese all day Saturday. Jeff kindly reminded me that I shouldn't be eating cheese, but I informed him that it was in his best interest that I get a good base for Saturday night's festivities. Turns out, it probably wouldn't have mattered what I ate before I went out because I had way too much fun for that to even factor in.
The old adage is that as you age, the mind is sometimes willing but the body can be no longer able. This is how I feel about going out. I'm two times slower to recover, two times more likely to feel absolutely awful, and eighty times more likely to want to eat the worst thing I possibly can to make myself feel better the next day. This was the first time I have gone out full on since becoming vegetarian, and man was it hard for me Sunday morning (iactuallymeansundayafternoonat2pmwheniwokeup). I wanted bacon. I wanted eggs. I wanted a burger, a steak, a gyro. Pulled pork, BLT, patty melt. I wanted anything besides something without meat.
What this showed me is at this point, consistency is still key. I eat the same thing for breakfast every day. I eat the same thing for lunch, unless I have leftovers. I have a few go-to meals. I love food; I consider myself a foodie even, but staying in a pattern right now until I reach a more comfortable and safe place is what is going to carry me through this. I need to know what my options are in every situation. Luckily for me, I was so nauseous that I didn't really have the willpower to make a bad decision.
Just when I was at my weakest, the universe sent me a message when I least expected it. I had been dealing with the cravings all day, and suddenly, during the Grammys, this commercial aired from chipotle. It's small steps like this that remind me why I started this journey
to begin with.
And even though the cravings still lingered today, I'm proud to say, I resisted the temptations and am still meat free.
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=aMfSGt6rHos
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2008/05/03/a-chain-that-pigs-would-die-for.html
Thursday, February 9, 2012
All-U-Can-Eat Meat
I bought a Groupon for Brazzaz, one of those all you can eat meat places, a few weeks before I decided to go veggie. Right? I mean, how one person can change in a blink of an eye is beyond me. I told someone the other day, I think I actually ate more meat when I was gearing up to become veggie, like my subconscious was saying - "You're never going to eat this again, load up while you can get it." Regardless, I spent $48 dollars (it was a buy one get one free deal) and I didn't want it to go to waste.
This makes me want to vomit right now.
My best friend's husband was in town for work staying downtown, and due to schedules and me having to go up north to walk the dogs after work (we don't own a car), it was too hard to for us to figure out a way that was convenient for all of us to meet up. So, I told the guys, go use the Brazazz Groupon - I'll go home. Afterall, I see him when I travel to Detroit for work, anyways. I told Jeff I had one rule, and one rule only. He was not allowed to talk about the meal at all. Cruel, maybe. But I couldn't bear the thought of him, stuffing himself with meat while I sat at home at ate black beans. My mouth was salivating at the thought, and my conscience was a little bit mad that I paid $48 so he could go eat parts of animals who ended up on a stick with guys dressed as gauchos stabbing it onto a plate.
I was vindicated, however, when Jeff came home from his dinner. He walked in, said hello, and bee-lined for the bathroom. Call it TMI, but I was told to not go in there for awhile after he was done. His stomach was completely projected, and he looked as if he had ran at least a half marathon. The meat had its revenge.
He started to say, "Dinner..." and I stopped him. "What was the first rule of Brazzaz dinner?" I said. "You don't talk about Brazazz dinner." He retorted. "But...all I was going to say, was, it wasn't worth it. My flan was the best part of my meal. I feel disgusting, it was so much food that I didn't need, and I will never do that again." He ended.
It made me happy to see him understand his consumption at that level, but made me sad that people are still preaching the "necessity" of factory farms when places like that exist. I once housed a 32 ounce steak at a neighborhood restaurant. Did my body need that? What about the double cheeseburger, nuggets, and fries at a fast food place? Necessary? How about the all-you-can eat 9.99 buffet? When does it become less of a need and more of a wasteful luxury? And when will people start seeing the difference?
My best friend's husband was in town for work staying downtown, and due to schedules and me having to go up north to walk the dogs after work (we don't own a car), it was too hard to for us to figure out a way that was convenient for all of us to meet up. So, I told the guys, go use the Brazazz Groupon - I'll go home. Afterall, I see him when I travel to Detroit for work, anyways. I told Jeff I had one rule, and one rule only. He was not allowed to talk about the meal at all. Cruel, maybe. But I couldn't bear the thought of him, stuffing himself with meat while I sat at home at ate black beans. My mouth was salivating at the thought, and my conscience was a little bit mad that I paid $48 so he could go eat parts of animals who ended up on a stick with guys dressed as gauchos stabbing it onto a plate.
I was vindicated, however, when Jeff came home from his dinner. He walked in, said hello, and bee-lined for the bathroom. Call it TMI, but I was told to not go in there for awhile after he was done. His stomach was completely projected, and he looked as if he had ran at least a half marathon. The meat had its revenge.
He started to say, "Dinner..." and I stopped him. "What was the first rule of Brazzaz dinner?" I said. "You don't talk about Brazazz dinner." He retorted. "But...all I was going to say, was, it wasn't worth it. My flan was the best part of my meal. I feel disgusting, it was so much food that I didn't need, and I will never do that again." He ended.
It made me happy to see him understand his consumption at that level, but made me sad that people are still preaching the "necessity" of factory farms when places like that exist. I once housed a 32 ounce steak at a neighborhood restaurant. Did my body need that? What about the double cheeseburger, nuggets, and fries at a fast food place? Necessary? How about the all-you-can eat 9.99 buffet? When does it become less of a need and more of a wasteful luxury? And when will people start seeing the difference?
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Cruelty-Free Products
I have been learning more and more about cruelty-free products, which has become a point of contention for Jeff and I because of his misconceptions about the nature of them. He thinks these products do not work as well as others, but I got him to agree that if it is in our power to buy a cruelty-free product without going out of the way or spending extra money, it would make sense for us to do that. I mean, literally what is the good in seeing two soaps, at the same store, same quantity, same price and not buying the animal & cruelty free one? I mean, to my mind, it seems ridiculous.
So of course, I went to Trader Joe's and instead of just searching for food and passing by the other "hippie" products (how I used to think of them), I looked at their beauty products section and was suprised (though by now I shouldn't be) to find just that - reasonably priced, cruelty-free products. I bought groceries for at least the next week, as well as shampoo, two bars of soap, toothpaste, and facial cleanser and makeup remover pads for $62. I will no longer entertain any arguments that buying this way is more expensive, it is simply false if you have access to shop at the right places.
I think one of the hardest things about shopping is knowing what to buy. I'd love for there to be a resource that says "Normally buy Aquafresh? Buy Tom's of Maine Toothpaste instead." The list of companies that tests on animals or companies that use animal products is astounding, and I can see how a normal, everyday shopper like myself may get overwhelmed. I will try to post ideas for things you can buy at your everyday supermarket, too. I mean, if it's not going to require a lot of extra work, I feel more people would be apt to do it.
Here are the products I am going to be sad to give up:
Clorox
Dial
Dove
Febreze
Garnier
Neutrogena
Ivory
Herbal Essences
Kleenex
Lysol
Tilex
Visine
Windex
Woolite
Pledge
Post-it
Playtex
Tide
Unilever
Full list of companies that do test on animals:
http://www.mediapeta.com/peta/PDF/companiesdotest.pdf
Here is what I look forward to buying more of (some of these companies use animal products, but no testing on animals):
Tom's
Trader Joe's
Clinique!
Bath and Body Works
Bumble and Bumble
CO Bigelow
Full list of companies that don't test on animals:
http://www.mediapeta.com/peta/PDF/companiesdonttest.pdf
via PETA, you should also know that Colgate-Palmolive is actively working to reform laws that require animal testing on certain products. Some of their products legally require animal testing, but they are one major company that is working against those outdated and inhumane laws.
So of course, I went to Trader Joe's and instead of just searching for food and passing by the other "hippie" products (how I used to think of them), I looked at their beauty products section and was suprised (though by now I shouldn't be) to find just that - reasonably priced, cruelty-free products. I bought groceries for at least the next week, as well as shampoo, two bars of soap, toothpaste, and facial cleanser and makeup remover pads for $62. I will no longer entertain any arguments that buying this way is more expensive, it is simply false if you have access to shop at the right places.
I think one of the hardest things about shopping is knowing what to buy. I'd love for there to be a resource that says "Normally buy Aquafresh? Buy Tom's of Maine Toothpaste instead." The list of companies that tests on animals or companies that use animal products is astounding, and I can see how a normal, everyday shopper like myself may get overwhelmed. I will try to post ideas for things you can buy at your everyday supermarket, too. I mean, if it's not going to require a lot of extra work, I feel more people would be apt to do it.
Here are the products I am going to be sad to give up:
Clorox
Dial
Dove
Febreze
Garnier
Neutrogena
Ivory
Herbal Essences
Kleenex
Lysol
Tilex
Visine
Windex
Woolite
Pledge
Post-it
Playtex
Tide
Unilever
Full list of companies that do test on animals:
http://www.mediapeta.com/peta/PDF/companiesdotest.pdf
Here is what I look forward to buying more of (some of these companies use animal products, but no testing on animals):
Tom's
Trader Joe's
Clinique!
Bath and Body Works
Bumble and Bumble
CO Bigelow
Full list of companies that don't test on animals:
http://www.mediapeta.com/peta/PDF/companiesdonttest.pdf
via PETA, you should also know that Colgate-Palmolive is actively working to reform laws that require animal testing on certain products. Some of their products legally require animal testing, but they are one major company that is working against those outdated and inhumane laws.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Meatless: The Roadshow
Wow.
Lots of powerful lessons learned since last Wednesday. Here they are in order.
1)Unless you specify that you are a non-dairy eating vegetarian when attending a catered event, you're simply screwed.
I didn't want to make a big show of it, but I realized that instead of emailing the coordinator and letting her know I have vegan tendencies, I just made a bigger spectacle. I sulked, I starved, I complained. I ate cheese. When you go to a pizza party at a bowling alley with free drinks, you need something in your tummy. Practically anything can become a "vegetarian" option, but man, I do not envy people who are true vegans. The world is a hard, hard place to live in. I felt guilty about eating all the cheese, especially in light of what I committed to at the leadership conference I was at (which I will address in #2), but, at least I held my ground on the eggs.
I love eggs so much. When I walked into the conference room (a little hungover) on Thursday morning and saw a tray of fluffy, wonderful eggs, it was the saddest day of my life. But no way was I eating a egg that came from a factory farm. So, I ate fruit for breakfast, felt pity for myself and my need for a greasy hangover remedy, and watched everyone else eat their eggs while I wondered what kind of life the hen that hatched them came from. It caused me a lot of anxiety, also a lot of self-questions: "Am I becoming a crazy person? How do other people not think this is a problem? People are going to start thinking I am a crazy person. How do I turn these thoughts off!!!"
I also had an existential crisis at dinner Thursday night, when I received my meal well after everyone else had been served. They informed me that they had accidentally forgot to leave the pancetta out of my meal the first time they made my food, so they had to make me a new plate. I felt so sad - like that poor pig had died twice. Not only did it die, but it was wasted in a meal that had to be thrown out. I felt like I was in a moral dilemma. Was I worse for making them throw it away? Seriously, I need a food therapist or something...being a vegetarian is really messing with my mind.
Lesson learned. Next time I attend any sort of a function, event, conference, or wedding - I'll make sure to send notice. I never knew how difficult it could be to find an acceptable meal option, or recover from a hangover on orange juice and pineapple chunks.
2) If you're going to an airport, pack your own shit to eat or prepare to eat nuts, fruit, and maybe pretzels or salad if you're lucky. That is all.
3) The leadership program I am in for work is great because it is all about professional growth, but provides insights that can relate to your personal life. This session was all about who you are, your VIBE (Values, Interests, Beliefs, and Energy Sources) as our facilitator called it. As we explored who we are and what we stand for, we were tasked to come up with a mission statement and an action plan to hold ourselves accountable towards. Mine was that I will always be true to myself and genuine with others. The subtext of that for me is that I will try to live a life where my actions align with my beliefs. Going veg was a good way to start for me.
The most important lesson - the only thing you have total control over is yourself.
4)Having a support system or someone you can identify with is great.
Jeff and my friend Susan picked me up from the airport on Friday so we could go to visit Susan's brother Ron (who is also one of my best friends) and his girlfriend Nicole this weekend at their place about 2 hours outside of my place in Chicago. Susan is already one of the most generous people I know (she picked me up at Midway Airport in Chicago rush hour traffic, after driving from Detroit for 5 hours), but she is also a vegetarian. It was great to talk to someone about what they eat, and to see that she was concerned about making sure we had options for dinner.
5) Your friends have your back no matter what.
My friend and Susan's brother Ron and I have had a history of meat-eating together - grilling, eating out, you name it - we have always been very close since college when we became friends. I was really worried, since I was staying at his house this weekend, that he would give me a hard time. He's like a brother to me, and I know that when I tell my actual brothers, they will never let me live down the fact that I am a vegetarian now. I expected Ron to treat me the same way. But he didn't. He didn't taunt me, or tempt me, or even question why I did it, and that made me feel a lot more comfortable.
This reminded me of a night a few weeks back. I went to two of my friend's (Colleen and Denise - sisters) house for a girl's night. Colleen works as what I lovingly call a "meat marketer." I was worried to tell her that I became a vegetarian because of who she is - her job, the town she comes from, what she believes in. It didn't matter to her. She got me a veggie option for dinner, and we drank wine all night and talked like we usually do. She even listened to my reasons for going veg.
Bottom line: Your friends are your friends, and if they are good ones, what you eat won't matter.
So, a rough, but great week. I got through it: traveling, having to sit through catered seminars, drinking with old friends - and I am have come out on the other side, still meatless. I'm really proud of myself, but there wasn't really ever a doubt. Still, it feels good to know that no matter what the situation, I'm strong enough in my basic belief to weather it. Now I just had to be as strong with cheese.
Lots of powerful lessons learned since last Wednesday. Here they are in order.
1)Unless you specify that you are a non-dairy eating vegetarian when attending a catered event, you're simply screwed.
I didn't want to make a big show of it, but I realized that instead of emailing the coordinator and letting her know I have vegan tendencies, I just made a bigger spectacle. I sulked, I starved, I complained. I ate cheese. When you go to a pizza party at a bowling alley with free drinks, you need something in your tummy. Practically anything can become a "vegetarian" option, but man, I do not envy people who are true vegans. The world is a hard, hard place to live in. I felt guilty about eating all the cheese, especially in light of what I committed to at the leadership conference I was at (which I will address in #2), but, at least I held my ground on the eggs.
I love eggs so much. When I walked into the conference room (a little hungover) on Thursday morning and saw a tray of fluffy, wonderful eggs, it was the saddest day of my life. But no way was I eating a egg that came from a factory farm. So, I ate fruit for breakfast, felt pity for myself and my need for a greasy hangover remedy, and watched everyone else eat their eggs while I wondered what kind of life the hen that hatched them came from. It caused me a lot of anxiety, also a lot of self-questions: "Am I becoming a crazy person? How do other people not think this is a problem? People are going to start thinking I am a crazy person. How do I turn these thoughts off!!!"
I also had an existential crisis at dinner Thursday night, when I received my meal well after everyone else had been served. They informed me that they had accidentally forgot to leave the pancetta out of my meal the first time they made my food, so they had to make me a new plate. I felt so sad - like that poor pig had died twice. Not only did it die, but it was wasted in a meal that had to be thrown out. I felt like I was in a moral dilemma. Was I worse for making them throw it away? Seriously, I need a food therapist or something...being a vegetarian is really messing with my mind.
Lesson learned. Next time I attend any sort of a function, event, conference, or wedding - I'll make sure to send notice. I never knew how difficult it could be to find an acceptable meal option, or recover from a hangover on orange juice and pineapple chunks.
2) If you're going to an airport, pack your own shit to eat or prepare to eat nuts, fruit, and maybe pretzels or salad if you're lucky. That is all.
3) The leadership program I am in for work is great because it is all about professional growth, but provides insights that can relate to your personal life. This session was all about who you are, your VIBE (Values, Interests, Beliefs, and Energy Sources) as our facilitator called it. As we explored who we are and what we stand for, we were tasked to come up with a mission statement and an action plan to hold ourselves accountable towards. Mine was that I will always be true to myself and genuine with others. The subtext of that for me is that I will try to live a life where my actions align with my beliefs. Going veg was a good way to start for me.
The most important lesson - the only thing you have total control over is yourself.
4)Having a support system or someone you can identify with is great.
Jeff and my friend Susan picked me up from the airport on Friday so we could go to visit Susan's brother Ron (who is also one of my best friends) and his girlfriend Nicole this weekend at their place about 2 hours outside of my place in Chicago. Susan is already one of the most generous people I know (she picked me up at Midway Airport in Chicago rush hour traffic, after driving from Detroit for 5 hours), but she is also a vegetarian. It was great to talk to someone about what they eat, and to see that she was concerned about making sure we had options for dinner.
5) Your friends have your back no matter what.
My friend and Susan's brother Ron and I have had a history of meat-eating together - grilling, eating out, you name it - we have always been very close since college when we became friends. I was really worried, since I was staying at his house this weekend, that he would give me a hard time. He's like a brother to me, and I know that when I tell my actual brothers, they will never let me live down the fact that I am a vegetarian now. I expected Ron to treat me the same way. But he didn't. He didn't taunt me, or tempt me, or even question why I did it, and that made me feel a lot more comfortable.
This reminded me of a night a few weeks back. I went to two of my friend's (Colleen and Denise - sisters) house for a girl's night. Colleen works as what I lovingly call a "meat marketer." I was worried to tell her that I became a vegetarian because of who she is - her job, the town she comes from, what she believes in. It didn't matter to her. She got me a veggie option for dinner, and we drank wine all night and talked like we usually do. She even listened to my reasons for going veg.
Bottom line: Your friends are your friends, and if they are good ones, what you eat won't matter.
So, a rough, but great week. I got through it: traveling, having to sit through catered seminars, drinking with old friends - and I am have come out on the other side, still meatless. I'm really proud of myself, but there wasn't really ever a doubt. Still, it feels good to know that no matter what the situation, I'm strong enough in my basic belief to weather it. Now I just had to be as strong with cheese.
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