I’m a Part-Time Vegan

What is a part-time vegan and does that really exist?  Well it does in my world.  Let me first apologize to those who live your lives full time as a vegan.  You can stop jumping up and down and yelling at your computer screen.  Oh wait, you’re probably not because you have compassion for animals, of which I happen to be one.

©Diane Eblin

©Diane Eblin

Actually, my friends that do live a vegan life are thrilled that I spend any time of my day not eating any animal products.  So what do I mean by part-time vegan.  For me that means that I only eat gluten free and dairy free plant, fruit, legume, nut, and grain based meals until dinner time.   I started trying this a few months ago in the winter, which for me is a hard time to start anything.  First I hate the cold, dreary and dark days.  I am solar powered and heat loving gal.  This is why I will move to California in a few years.  Living in Northern VA there are not a lot of local vegetables being grown around here in the winter and I like to eat local organic foods.  I also have never been a fan of a lot of the winter vegetables.  I am learning to try them, but slowly.

So now that this year’s local vegetables are beginning to crop up I’m once again back on to eating vegan during the day.  But to be completely up front, I got this last push back to this lifestyle by reading Mark Bittman’s new book Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating with More Than 75 RecipesThis is a must read book. He and I share the same philosophy:   eat like your food matters.  His book offers great information on how we are currently eating and what that is doing to our bodies and our planet.  Two things that mean a lot to me.  I won’t go into more about the book just now but look for my book review coming soon.

So exactly what am I eating and how has it changed how I feel?

Well I’m not eating bacon and eggs for breakfast anymore but it’s a great dinner.  Instead I eat a hot grain cereal, always gluten free and dairy free.  I’ll have a fruit or fruit and leafy green smoothie or when I’m pressed for time a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  I’ve been eating this great raw peanut butter made from 4 different nuts.  Love it.  I’m also eating my lunches at home because that is where I run our international executive leadership corporation from.  I again will have a mix of fruits, vegetables, grains and beans.  You know how I love pupusas.  When dinner rolls around I have 3-5 ounces of seafood, ostrich, turkey, chicken, pork, beef or bison.  I’ve not totally given up meats but by doing this I have greatly decreased how much I am consuming.

Also, for those who don’t usually read this blog, I don’t eat very many foods of any type from a box.  I make all of my own stocks, beans from dried, and I eat as much organic and local food from farmers as possible.  I’ve also cut back to eating my junk food of potato chips or Fritos to only once a week.  I do however like to eat my Blueberry Ice Cream any time of the day.

Here are some changes I have noticed happening to my body.  I’m not as hungry as I previously was and I don’t miss meat during the day at all.  I have more energy and I sleep more soundly and feel more rested when I awake.  I don’t have as many aches and pains and my shoulder that I’ve been attending physical therapy for has greatly improved at a much faster rate since I started eating this way.  This was my feeling which was confirmed by my therapist yesterday.  Thanks Denise!  I feel more content and relaxed.  Oh, and I am losing weight too.

So I am looking for others who are already eating this way or who might be interested in being a part-time vegan with me.   If you are looking to really read more about this please go to the book store or library and grab Mark Bittman’s book, Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating with More Than 75 Recipes.  I’ve not even talked about what changing to this way of eating can do for our planet.

So let me hear from you.  What is your opinion on this when asked to join in?  Are you scrunching up your nose and cringing?  If so that’s a sign you might really need a change and should grab that book.  Can’t wait to hear from you.

11 Responses to I’m a Part-Time Vegan

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