Monday, February 28, 2011

Almost 15 lbs down :)

Weight loss is going great and so rewarding! It sure makes up for the long hours of planing and cooking. This week will be a busy one as I have nearly depleted my pre-cooked meals and haven't had time to prepare any this weekend since we had visitors at the house. I survived cakes and cookies and Outback Steakhouse which isn't necessarily a 1st choice for Vegans. The waitress was really helpful and I enjoyed the side salad and the side of veggies.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Where did my cooking motivation go?

It is gone! Nowhere to be found! I have planned to make some nice lunch dish since Sunday but cannot get myself to prepare it at night. I cooked a vegetarian dish for my husband, followed by a vegan dish for myself on Wednesday night but that was all the cooking I did the entire week.

I've been living of leftovers and frozen dishes. Don't get me wrong, they are all healthy and delicious but I should probably have a little more variety of dishes throughout the week instead of eating the Asparagus/Pea Risotto for lunch and dinner two days in a row!

Cooking is still, after nearly four weeks, the most difficult change to adjust to. Hopefully that too, will soon become habit!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Chocolate Soy Milk = Heaven

I bought some chocolate soy milk to make smoothie with cherries, bananas and the chocolate soy milk. It turned out OK but I found the banana taste a little overbearing.

The soy milk sat forgotten in the fridge as I mostly try to avoid soy. Also, the only milk replacement I ever tried, almond milk, wasn't all that good either. This morning, when I prepared my lunch, I came across the "milk" again and decided to try a half cup full. It was YUMMY!

Since I haven't had any sweets or chocolate in over 4 weeks, I felt I was in heaven. Now I need to only contain myself and not drink too much of it but a small cup before I go on the treadmill may be a good way to keep my energy level up and an even better excuse to indulge in chocolate.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Completed the 3-week Vegan Kickstart - Yay!

Those three weeks went by fast. Good news, I lost 10 lbs in 4 weeks and I am feeling good.

It has definitely not been as hard as I have originally anticipated. I have made some great dishes, discovered new spices and haven't felt this well fed in ages.

I've "signed" myself up for another 3 weeks as I think breaking this healthy eating lifestyle change into smaller segments makes it easier to tackle.

My newest discovery is self made Hummus! I've always been intrigued by Hummus but I've only eaten it a few time where I really liked it. Most times it tasted too strong. I've followed a curry hummus recipe from my vegan cookbook and it tastes absolutely divine. I made hummus sandwiches with sprouts and tomato slices for lunch and it tastes great.

I've also finally broke down and looked for vegan bread and found some delicious whole grain bread that didn't contain any milk or eggs or oil for that matter. A perfect fit for me. I kept snacking on it Saturday evening and I realized how much I had missed bread.

I am very hopeful that the next three weeks will go well, too, and that I'll lose some more weight in the process.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

I can't decide if it is getting easier or harder ...

I am now 2 1/2 weeks into my healthy vegan diet. Eating overall is going great and I still love the food but for the most part I am at work and that makes it easier. At home, I do struggle with not eating, snacking, drinking wine etc. Seeing the leftover cookies from my daughter gets me closer and closer to caving in.

And I did a little. Cave in, that is. I've had one of her cookies. They are small and not really unhealthy but still, I caved.
I also had a vegetarian appetizer at a work function that included some blue cheese. It was very good and I don't regret it and it is only a 4 times a year event. I did leave off the cheese on the salad I ordered but I did have some of the dressing that contained oil.

I want to stick to my vegan diet but I try not to beat myself up over little things like that. I strongly believe that I will be able to continue with it for another 3 weeks or at least I am setting it as my goal.

One thing I have come to realize is that I need to add some other food such as snacks or sandwiches for lunch. I am currently eating "dinners" for lunch and dinner and I think I would like a little more variety. It would also be nice if I could find a yummy sandwich that my husband would like as well.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Almost through the 2nd week

Today is already Day 13. Overall I am starting to get into the groove of cooking and eating healthy. Planning ahead is the most difficult but I am getting a better handle on it as well.

I am also starting to venture away from the cook book a little and implement some of my previous recipes at times. Leaving out oil of sauteing onions in vegetable stock instead of oil has been no issue taste wise at all. My first oil-free salad dressing has been a huge success. I substituted vegetable stock for oil in there as well and it tasted very good.

The part that makes my new life style a little difficult is that I am ending up to have to bring in food at company functions and sticking out like a sore thumb with my plastic containers of food while everyone else is digging in at the buffet. It doesn't bother me much except for the fact that I have to explain it to everyone why I am doing it. People seem to assume that eating salad is a good alternative to BBQ food. I rather bring in an entire dish and enjoy that and feel great afterwards.