Day 20 - almost done!

this is my last full day as a vegan.  I miss lean protein and look forward to getting back to chicken, fish and turkey.  Luckily I live in a town that caters to the sale of organic homegrown formerly live product.  I will keep the healthy habits I've grown used to - the raw fruit and veggies for snacking, the veganaise instead of mayo, and making my own lunches instead of spending outrageous amounts of money for substandard, who knows where it originated, 'food'.

and I want pizza.  yum.

Thanks to all who viewed this and either commented or left me messages.  I will periodically do a new blog about a new challenge and will let my facebook friends know.

Ciao Bellas!
Terri

Day 18!

Here I am at day 18.  I had blood work done for a routine doctor's visit coming up on Friday and found that my A1C has dropped a point since last quarter.  my cholesterol levels are still a bit elevated, I thought they'd be much lower.  Well, it only has been 2.5 weeks.

The bead of silicone I laid on the basement floor did not work.  It diverted the water to under the washer/dryer - not to the drain.  I'm looking into an internal sump pump system.  god only knows where I'll get the money - but I cannot live with the stress of a river running through it every time it rains.  send good thoughts for incoming $$!

Remember to write your senator and ask that poison centers are kept in the budget and open to all that use them.  Our emergency rooms would be filled with people who panic when junior eats something that may be dangerous.  Now it's a free phone call to triage the danger - saving taxpayers millions each year.  Ok, I'll jump off the soapbox now.

Talk to you all soon!

Day 14 and the oscars!

Day 14 - I had my friend Kathy over for the oscars.  we fast forwarded through all the commercials.  I love my DVR.

I made a bean vegetable soup that rocks.  Now I definitely have enough in my freezer to take me through the end of the 21 days.

My sore throat is completely gone - I was afraid that I had strep, glad I dodged that bullet.

I put down a bead of silicone caulk from the leak in the wall in the basement guiding water to the drain.  It's supposed to rain all week.  Fingers crossed that this will work.

Good night gentle readers.  see you tomorrow!

Day 13 and a little shaky

ok, I'm not shaky from lack of food or having a cold, but from eating some eggplant and pad thai from a vegan thai restaurant.

I was a bit too tired to cook, so I stopped and got take out from Bay Leaf on 47th and Division.  It is a veggie/vegan place here in portland.  About a half hour after eating, my heart started racing and I felt shaky.  I called the place and asked if they use MSG.  She said no.  I don't believe her.

I didn't even think about MSG when I got the food.  Interesting how my system reacted!  Pure food is good food and good for me!

Good night all!
Terri

day 12 and still home sick

much to Gizzi's delight, I am home again today - hunkered down in bed with a sore throat and aches.  She's been sleeping on me only to wake up to eat and bother me to take her out to potty.

I'm glad I bought these vegan boca burgers.  I have been crumbling them on spinach and sprouted wheat tortilla shells for a quick sandwich.

It's odd to be in bed on one of the handful of truly bright and beautiful days we get here in the NW in the winter.  Yesterday it was easier on my psych since it was gray all day.  today leaves me mildly depressed about it all.

Well, back to bed.  Hopefully I'll feel good enough to go to bridge tomorrow.

good night gentle readers,
Terri

day 11 and home sick!

My incredibly sore throat doesn't keep me from blogging!  I can't talk, but I can type.  Being sick gives me a view into 'quick' vegan food.  luckily I've frozen the soups and stews I've concocted and I have enough fruit to blend into soy yogurt which goes down a sore throat smooth and cool.

I wonder tho if I'm not getting the right nutrition.  Can I be making myself sick?  I doubt it.  I'm sure my diabetes is the culprit in my compromised immune system.  and as my blood sugars drop, I'm sure I'll be healthier than usual.

But to ensure my health, I will meet with a nutritionist to go over my meal log and tweak it as needed.

Back to bed after walking Gizzi.  Even though I'm sick, she still needs to potty.

Good night gentle readers.
Terri

Day 10! Half way there

One of my friends asked me what I found to be the best (food) surprise.  I would have to say Vegenaise.  I won't go back to using regular mayonaise because this is so much better.  Great taste, much fluffier and of course, so much better for you.

I tried taking the bus this morning, but after waiting a half hour, I just went home and got my car.  Hey, I tried!  :)

more later . . .

Snow and sigh - day 9

Ok, I get that my east coast friends have been hammered over and over by snow this winter.  But we're expecting a few inches over the next few days and it makes me nuts.  I don't know if it's about the snow or the fact I'll have to take the bus to work with all the stinky bus people.  And I don't mean the unwashed.  I'm talking about the people who bathe themselves in perfume and cologne because they think it's nice.  Trust me, when I can smell you 4 stops after you get off, it's not pleasant.

The vegan experiment is still going well.  I made a lentil stew that keeps upsetting my stomach.  I think the carrots may have been bad, so I'll trash it tonight and try to make another batch tonight or tomorrow night.

Ok, gentle readers, Mr Yuk and I will say goodbye for now.

Ciao!

Day 8 and a new storm door and an update on Freddies

Hi all,

I'm on day 8 - and still no cravings.  I went to bridge last night and my hostess, Sandy, provided a vegan option for her curry - even tho I told her I'd bring my own entree.  She's a much better cook than I am, so I greatly appreciated it!

I got a storm door put on the front of the house today.  I can tell the difference already.  It's much warmer by the door.  And we have a cold front moving in, so it's just in time.

My cold is developing into something real.  Just in time for the work week, albeit a short one.

An update on the bathroom cleaner fiasco.  The supermarket (Fred Meyer's) sent the claim onto the manufacturer of Kaboom.  I will be filling out paperwork for them now - hopefully they will pay my out of pocket expenses.  I still think that Freddie's is responsible on some level, but will be satisfied if the manufacturer helps out.

Onward to tomorrow!
Terri

6th day and a shift

Hello~


I am in my 6th day, and last evening I began to feel a shift in my attitude.  I don't know if it's the vegan diet or feeling good about maintaining this change, but it feels good to feel positive again.

I'm almost out of food - so I'll shop during dinner hour tonight.  I hate food shopping on the weekend days - too many people!

I will keep you updated.  Thanks for listening!

Terri

Oasisba and 5th day

Hi kind readers,
My 5th day vegan.  I went out to OasisBa last night for Thai food.  Thai has a number of yummy vegan options.  I opted for eggplant and tofu with broccoli.  But beyond the fabulous food was the entertainment.  If you don't know, this is one of the Sweet Basil Thai restaurants.  But here the servers are in drag and they take turns performing on a small stage.

So much fun!  I went in cranky and left uplifted and laughing.  I'm still smiling this morning!  What a drag!  (snort giggle)

Quad day and Freddies Sucks!

Here I am.  My 4th day vegan.  I thought this would be hard, but I'm fine so far.  I usually have oatmeal or muesli for breakfast, heated with a banana mushed in and unsweetened vanilla almond milk.  Lunch is usually what I had for dinner the night before - today's lunch is Ezekiel sprouted grain pasta in a reduced marinara sauce with spinach, garlic, tempe, peppers and onion.  I grated a little soy cheese to sprinkle on top.  I snack on almonds and apples.

Last night I got a letter from Fred Meyer's saying they don't know how the top of the Kaboom bathroom cleaner came undone, so they're not liable.  Really?  I don't know, when I go to a grocery store, I kind of expect that I can pick something up off the shelf without the bottom falling off and spraying my face and eyes with caustic chemicals. 

I'm not done with Freddies yet. . . .

And still, no running to comfort food.  :)  Yay me!

3rd day in

It's snowing right now.  Very pretty.  It's beginning to look a lot like xmas.  :)

I'm feeling a bit sluggish; stuffy and a wee bit nauseous this morning.  Either I'm detoxing, coming down with the cold everybody seems to have or I'm pregnant.  Ever watch House Hunters? (love that show!)  Out of the 3 options they get rid of the least likely.  My least like is the pregnancy option, unless god REALLY loves me.

That leaves the other two.  What do you folks think?  detox or cold?

Thanks to all my friends who posted on facebook and here.  I'm grateful for the recipe site that Terri gave me.  There are several things that look yummy.

I haven't been hungry or craving much junk at all.  I have my emotional hunger, but I recognize it and wag the dog for awhile until it goes away.

Well I'd better get to work.  See ya!

The beginning.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Due to my failing health, overweight status and increasing anxiety, I have decided to eat vegan for 3 weeks to see if there is any significant change in these areas of concern.

I do care about animals, but I have to admit that at this point it is all about me.

**Most of my friends would tell you I navigate through the world on this principle.**

So day 2 of the vegan experiment is going well.  I have survived more basement flooding and have not reverted to comfort food to get through it. 

Yesterday, day 1, was valentines day.  Not my favorite holiday considering I have no love in my life.  And when I came into work, 3 of the computers were down and I had to troubleshoot those while making sure all the nurses time cards were correct by the close of the time period at 11 a.m.   More stress than the usual Monday, but yes, I did get through it without cheese.

More later . . ..