Being a Vegan

This one is for the food fans out there. Thought that I'd document some of the food products that we've been eating especially since Athol is now a non-meat, non-dairy eater.

Athol's been a Vegan (or Edenist as he calls it! for his philosophical reasons) for 4 months now. Luckily in America, there are plenty of options for Vegans. So being a 'Vegan' means not eating meat and dairy. For health reasons, Athol also needs to eat food low in fats and sodium. So we have been looking a food labels to see the exact content - % of fats (Trans and Saturated fats are bad! but Poly and Mono fats are good), sodium (salt is very bad!) and sugar (which is very fattening). Here is an example of a soy milk label:

So with that mission in mind, I've been on the look out for legit food to eat :) I've been experimenting with different food products.

Strange how society's norm is to eat meat and non-meat eaters are frowned upon and companies make 'fake' meat products (substituted with soy) and name it something funny.

We've noticed some quirky Vegetarian  or non-dairy food names, like:

'Nayonnaise'

'Soy Boy Courage Burgers'

'Vegetable Corn Dogs'

'Chik'n'

Some other products I've seen and laughed when I saw the names: 'Tofurkey' 'Cheez' 

Some of the products we've tried that are legit for us to eat:
'Soy milk'

'Whole wheat wraps'

'Cashew Butter'

'Veggie Dogs'

'Matzos'

I haven't been eating much meat at all since it is just easier to cook one day instead of two :) I've had the odd piece of chicken or fish - but not more than 5 meals over the last 4 months! I haven't weighed myself since we've been here but I think that I weigh the same :) Athol has lost some weight since December.

So this year our diet has completely changed from the American (high fat, high sodium, high sugar) foods that we were eating last year. This current diet is far healthier and really hasn't been so bad. We haven't really missed meat. I've just been creative in the kitchen by making veggie stews, curries, lasagna, pasta, wraps, soups, etc.

So here's to healthy eating and good health!