My vegan challenge - The end

Well, my vegan challenge is officially over.

Not just because it has passed the 1st August, marking one full month since my announcement to embark on said challenge; But also because I lost the plot around week three and ate some Beef Ragout.

What am I if not honest?

I feel (kind of) ok about it because I didn’t receive any more donations after Week 3 anyway. Or perhaps was that just the universe picking up the scent of slow-cooked beast on my breath, and therefore boycotting me and my goal?

I’m fine with it anyway. I have raised $508.00 for the RSPCA QLD, for which I received a letter of gratitude and a certificate that says I’m a top person. So even though I ate some animals…I also saved some.

So here's the wrap-up:

What I liked:

- Experimenting with meals
- Feeling light and healthy
- Vegan meals after my Yoga class at Govindas
- Feeling 100% guilt free about every single thing I ate
- Learning about nourishment and food
- Almond milk!


What I didn’t like:

- The weird lectures I got from people
- Tempeh (sorry, I tried)
- Being verbally bludgeoned with the word ‘Calcium!’ seemingly constantly
- Not eating butter
- Not eating cheese
- Not eating fish
- Watching other people eat butter, cheese and fish

What I learned:

- A vegan diet is a very affective weight-loss diet
- Most people I spoke with think their nourishment mostly comes from meat and milk. I find that weird.
- I am a sucker for butter, cheese, and ragout
- People who are on a vegan challenge try to off-set their overwhelming secret desire to steal the bacon off your plate with lectures about sustainability, animal cruelty and health. And most people who are not on the vegan challenge will both ignore said lectures with the stubbornness of a knifed Labour leader; and protect their bacon with the cruel arrogance of Simon Cowell.
- I will never be a full-time vegan

Thank you so much to everyone who donated – a little thank you gift is in the post for you this week.

And to all who offered their support, and believed I could make it; sorry.

I’ll post a few more groovy recipes up soon for those who are interested!

Peace out – and stay tuned for the next conversation at Mirror, Australia.

My vegan challenge – Week Two

G’day Vegan-curious’ and RSPCA lovers,

Well, week two is now over so I’m half way through my challenge! Yay for me!

I’ve also hit the half-way mark on my goal of raising $1,000.00 for RSPCA QLD, which I’m stoked about. People have been so generous – I’m really grateful for the support of me and my personal challenge, but more so their willingness to support such a great charity. Well done team :)

This week, people have been less aggressive in their enquiries regarding my health, and I’ve had far more encouraging words of support from friends, family and colleagues…mixed with the occasional passing grimace.

FAQs from this week:

How’s your health?/Aren’t you dead yet?
Very well, thank you for your concern. I’m still feeling healthy and good. My weight has remained the same since losing 3 kilos in the first week, which was to be expected. My indulgences have been potato chips and I’m eating a fair bit of bread so I’m remaining nice and plump.

I am breaking out – my skin is doing all sorts of interesting things, due to the toxins ridding my body, so that’s all good. I’m sure it will pass soon.

With the upping of lentils and legumes in my diet, I’m finding my digestion is running really well – I used to have the occasional stomach pain, bloating, other issues with bowel movements I don’t need to go into..and I have not had any of those occurrences in the last fortnight.

Now with the image of my bowel movements in your head (you’re welcome), let’s quickly move on.

My energy levels are better than I can ever remember. Being something I’ve always struggled with, that is huge for me.

Is it hard to eat out?
Not…really. I had my first test on Friday when a morning tea was held at work. Sandwiches, cakes, quiches…all looked yum. To make things that little more cruel, our boss had the catering done by Sassafras – one my favourite places to eat – who do all organic food. Normally I’d even be smashing the chicken sandwiches guilt free (I often avoid chicken from establishments unless they guarantee it is organic. I eat most chicken at home and purchase my meat from the Meat-ing Place or Wray Organics to get this guarantee for myself) but there wasn’t a single thing on the table that didn’t have butter, milk or eggs in it. Poor me. Moving on…

Not…really. Living in Brisbane is probably one challenge for a vegan (and I’d love to hear from Brisbane-dwelling vegans on their favourite places to eat).

You can’t go into a pub for example and have any vegan option available other than hot chips. That was the case when I was vegetarian also – only my options were stretched as far and wide as wedges and sour cream, and in really posh places, perhaps a cheese plate. That’s just lazy-chef-syndrome as far as I’m concerned.

It further highlights my concern that we are over producing animals on superfluously large scales just because the mainstream is of the mind that meat and dairy has to be on every item on the menu. The mass-production of animals and animal products that contribute to many of our increasingly critical environmental and health problems, come down to this. And the only thing that will curb it is people power. Eating establishments, supermarkets and food producers wont make a shift unless the customer demands it. End lecture.

Not…really. I’ve eaten out three times this week. I’ve basically found my hippie-vegan heaven in Govinda’s in Elizabeth Street. I go to Atma yoga at lunch time and get a free vegan lunch at Govindas afterwards! Score! Doesn’t get better than that. And let me tell you – non-vegans dig this lunch. It’s plentiful, tasty and cheap. Yum yum.

I was also taken to the Tibetan Kitchen on a dinner date last night, which was thoroughly enjoyable.

I’ve been given some tips for some great places in West End, which I’ll head to soon.

Is it hard to keep up?/Are you missing anything?
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t missing cheese. Infact, I’ve realised how much I actually eat! But all that means for me is I’m losing a bit of excess dairy fat and I will enjoy it so much more when I go back to it for a cheeky indulgence rather than chowing down on it like my life depends on it every other night. I was a bit gross, now I think about it.

When I get hungry I have had the occasional craving but as long as I keep a snack nearby I’m ok on that front. Once I’ve actually eaten a bit I’m over it. The only thing I really miss eating is fish.

What are you eating?
I’ve only referred to the vegan cookbook once and that was to make some quinoa and lentil burgers one night – they rocked. Everything else has been my recipe.

Week Two dinner menu
Monday: Roasted vegetable pasta + garlic bread

Tuesday: Pan fried tempeh w vegan potato salad, almond beans, roasted pumpkin & minted beetroot + bruschetta

Wednesday: Quinoa & lentil burgers w paw paw salsa
(Recipe courtesy 500 Vegan Dishes book)

Thursday: Creamy vegetable pie

Friday: Tibetan Kitchen

Saturday: Vegan pizza (haven't made it yet...but here's my antipasti starter:)

Week two wrap up
I like the way veganism makes me feel. I’m also more motivated by knowing I’m raising money for charity. It’s keeping me honest! But I’m looking forward to nailing some fish and chips at the end of the month :)

This week’s top donation was made by none other than my lovverrrr. Top bloke. He was true to his word and donated more than $3.00 in order to claim a tax deduction, and more than $100 so Corey didn’t make him look like a louse. Swooooon.

If you would like to support the RSPCA QLD, please click here.

My vegan challenge - Week One

This is my first “report” on my month as a vegan.

So far I have really enjoyed it and I have already learned so much about food…and people!

Going vegan is not as massive a stretch for me as what it would be for many other people. I was vegetarian for a couple of years, and I am very conscientious about healthy food and humane animal products. I already refuse to buy anything but organic eggs, chicken & cheese, and I extend that all other meat when I can afford it. I am increasingly avoiding pork due to nutritional & animal welfare concerns.

I am a try-hard foodie and I love to cook, so the first obvious appeal of this challenge was to stretch my capabilities in the kitchen and try some new dishes I might not have otherwise.

This week I have used all my own recipes, and I will share them with you (soon). I have purchased a vegan cookbook though, and I am sure I’ll be reaching for it in the very near future!

The reaction of others has been interesting to say the least. I thought I was doing this for myself but I am blown away at how many people are varying from fascinated to appalled to bemused to highly opinionated about my temporary food choices.

I’ve been on repeat all week with people who, looking around my face with cautious intrigue like I’m some weird science experiment , poke and prod me with questions about the logistics, the health, the food itself, and heaven forbid, what I’m depriving my poor partner of whilst the main cook of the house goes off on this crazy grain nibbling rampage, as if they expect to next see me crouching in a field with a hunk of grass hanging out of mouth, having abandoned home to live with a family of rabbits.

Already I am exhausted on behalf of permanent vegans who must have these conversations with omnivores on a regular basis! It is turning into a bit of social intrigue project for me, to be exposed to how foreign eating naturally is to people! I’m tilting my head back at them in the same confusion in which they are looking at me!

So, to avoid clogging up the call centre, here are my responses to this week's FAQs:

Where will you get all your calcium from?
Broccoli, bok choy, cabbage, spinach, tofu, tempeh, sardines*, salmon*, brazil nuts, almond, sesame seeds, tahini. (*Not me this month, but you can)

Where do you get your iron from?
Almonds, edamame (soybeans), lentils, spinach, quinoa, tofu, tempeh, prunes, chickpeas, lima beans, pinto beans, tahini, beetroot leaves, kidney beans, potato, peas, raisins, watermelon, bok choy, brussel sprouts, apricots, bulgur.

Where do you get your protein from?
Just about any kind of nut, legumes, beans, tofu, tempeh, baked beans on toast, soy products, peanut butter, Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), quinoa, sunflower seeds, whole wheat bread, brown rice, broccoli, potato, mushrooms, seitan.

What do you actually eat?!
Week One Menu:
Monday
Breakfast: Avocado & tomato on grain toast
Lunch: Garden salad
Snacks & drinks: Apple, mixed nuts, banana, rosehip & ginger tea, chamomile tea
Dinner: Potato & broccoli cakes with a spicy tomato & lentil sauce + garlic bread

Tuesday

Breakfast: Banana & berry smoothie
Lunch: Left over dinner
Snacks & drinks: Date & coconut rolls, popcorn
Dinner: Falafels w homemade tabouleh & salad

Wednesday
Breakfast: Porridge w cinnamon, brown sugar & raisins
Lunch: Left over dinner
Snacks & drinks: Carmen’s muesli bar (a little cheat, it had honey in it), Mandarin, mixed nuts, Rosehip & ginger tea, Little Creatures Pale Ale
Dinner: Vegetable samosas (my friend’s Mum’s recipe – I wont publish it because even though I like my version, I know I don't do it justice) w sweet chilli dipping sauce & salad

Thursday
Breakfast: Banana & berry smoothie
Lunch: More samosas
Snacks & drinks: mandarin, mixed nuts
Dinner: Zuchini, pea & mint soup + garlic croutons

Friday
Breakfast: Banana & berry smoothie
Lunch: Left over dinner
Snacks & drinks: Muesli bar, mixed nuts, long black coffee, rosehip & ginger tea, popcorn, chilli potato chips
Dinner: Marinated tofu & salad rice paper rolls w hoisin & chilli sauce

Saturday
Breakfast: Multigrain toast w cashew butter & celery
Lunch: Salad sandwich on multigrain w avocado
Snacks & drinks: mixed nuts, fresh juice from juice bar
Dinner: Vege Fajitas w homemade tortillas, rice & refried beans

Sunday
Breakfast: Long black coffee, multigrain toast w avocado & tomato
Lunch: 3 different salads, beans & bread (provided at a seminar I attended)
Snacks & drinks: fruit, roobis tea
Dinner: Tofu & vegetable stir fry

Do you take supplements?/You’re taking supplements, right?/Well, just make sure you take some supplements!
It is different in every individual case. I was taking iron supplements before I started this diet as I have been borderline with iron. However, based on my past experience, I was in fact iron deficient before I went vegetarian six years ago. Not long into my vegetarian diet, my iron levels actually increased and remained healthy for quite some time. So I empirically know that a lack of meat in my diet wont send me down a rapid shute straight to anaemia. I am continuing on the supplements I have as I would if I were still eating meat. I am not taking any other supplement.

How do you live vegan when you live with a die-heard meat-eater?
My partner and I have had several interesting and positive conversations about this challenge. I am not “inflicting” it on him by any means. To start, he gets a good meat fix at lunch everyday.

When I plan a meal I also think of how I can incorporate some meat into it for him, if he wants it. I did add some bacon into his soup the other night, and some chicken into his fajitas, which he was very grateful for!

For the first couple of meals he was more than happy to have them as they were, and I have to say I am very lucky to have such an open-minded partner who is happy to have the occasional vegetarian meal, and more so trusts me to make a delicious meal sans animal anything.

One of the most frustrating conversations I can have is with someone who just cannot comprehend the possibility of an enjoyable meal without meat. There is a massive misconception out there that food can’t be exciting and satisfying unless meat is involved. Men, in particular, are downright convinced they will keel over and die if there’s no meat on their plate at night. I’m sorry, but it is simply ignorant, misinformed, narrow-minded and buying into the...

Marketing of Meat
Of all people, my meat-loving man was the person who posed to reflect on just how successful the Beef, Lamb & Pork industries have been in convincing the mainstream that we simply cannot get vital nutrients such as iron and protein from anywhere but their products. That’s not facts people – That’s marketing.

Take a closer look at what is being fed to you, to influence you what you feed your family. You might just discover a whole new world of culinary pleasure that rocks your world, and makes you, and the world a little bit healthier!

I’m not attempting to preach anything, and I'm a lover of variety. I know why people don't want to give up meat and dairy, nor have time to care about the ingredients list when it's cheap and the kids are screaming. I'm just discussing my observations and insights. I am of course a meat eater and the end of the month I will be back eating meat, but even in doing so, I will be ensuring my products are fresh, local, humane and organic wherever possible. If you want help on how to find humane animal products check out this resource from RSPCA.

Week One wrap-up
I am thoroughly enjoying this little adventure so far. It seems to have a positive domino effect in ways such as; because the food isn’t heavy, whilst it does fill me up, I’m burning it off quicker, making me hungrier more often. Whilst some people probably see this as reason enough not to take this route, it have forced me into eating smaller meals more often which is a very healthy way to refuel.

I have lost 3 kilos already. Don’t be alarmed, this probably also because I haven’t been drinking as much as I would normally. The lighter meals mean that when I have had a beer it has gone straight to my head and I’ve opted out of the second. So it is having a very healthy effect on my lifestyle overall.

I am sleeping much better and feeling a lot more alert and positive. I mostly feel proud and strong within myself for challenging myself and sticking with it (so far!)

Yes, I know I’m only one week in. Perhaps next week I’ll just fill the page with big growls and incoherent rants about cheeseburgers, but for now, I’m happily rolling with it.

Catch ya next week.

Please donate to RSCPA QLD if you so feel the urge!

Thank you for reading :)



This week’s blog was brought to you by the top donator for the week: Miss Mallory Peak!
Bloody generous and all round top chick.
Thank you so much!