If my mom can quit smoking, I can quit lattes!

Over a week ago, my mother quit smoking. She is 61 years old and has been smoking for over 42 years. If she can stop smoking, I can stop lattes. I am committed more than ever to become 100% vegan.

Vegan Acne

AHHHHH! Help! I'm breaking out like a pre-teen! This is what I sounded like for about 2 weeks until I realized, it was not going away. I needed to find out what was going on with my once smooth, clear skin. I googled, "vegan acne" and found out it really does exist! It is against my instincts that I would break out now that I am vegan. I am eating so healthy and putting mostly fruits and vegetables in my body. According to different sites that I found, that could be part of the problem. Now that I am not eating toxins, my body is getting rid of the ones that are left. When they are exiting my body, they come out through my skin as pimples. Yuck!

Also, I found out that because I am no longer eating dairy and meat, my body is being deprived of the good bacteria that kills bad bacteria (like the kind that causes acne) in your body.

I took a trip to my local natural food store to find out what to do. I ended up with a probiotic, or good bacteria, that I take 2 times a day. I also started eating flax and evening primrose oil to hydrate my skin more. The result, the acne is gone! Yeah! I recomend visiting with a naturopath or health and beauty expert at a natural food store if you experience something similar. There are so many kinds of probiotics out there, I'm sure you can find the one that is best for you!

The good life

THE GOOD LIFE!

Becoming vegan is one of the best choices I have ever made. Since I have committed to this lifestyle change, great opportunities have come my way and good fortune has flooded my life.

First, my friend Andy just happens to work with author Sarah Taylor, Vegan in 30 days and invited me to her home for a fundraiser for WWEE. I showed up, met Sarah (she is totally awesome), got to taste some of her vegan meals (Yummy), and felt even more inspired that I can do it. I look forward to sharing ideas with her and I have told everyone to buy her book.

Second, I finally found all man-made sexy shoes that don’t cost a million dollars and are comfortable. Macy’s sells a brand called Rampage that has many styles to choose from. Also Nine West had two beautiful sexy high heel shoes that I purchased. Then, I hosted a fundraiser for the Tacoma Rescue Mission and Ellis (Staff person in charge of transitional housing) said that these families (mainly single women with small kids) get the basics but hardly get items that are individual or special to them. I asked him if any of this clients wore 8 ½ and liked Prada – he said yes. So, I ran upstairs to my closet pulled out all my Prada shoes (ok, so I left the pair that my dad bought me and my mother-in-law bought for me, love stuff) and other designer shoes (most look like new) and donated them all. Oh yes, I did!

I just felt moved by Ellis’s stories of these women and I thought that instead of consigning them or selling on E-Bay, these need to go to someone trying to get ahead in life. Now I am 90% leather free in the shoe department – Next department to clean out is my handbag collection. I think I will donated a bag for the NARAL Auction and give a few away at Christmas. I am more attached to my handbags then my shoes. I think that is because I see them as Art rather than style.

It didn’t stop there. I ran back up stairs and grabbed a Louis Vuitton handbag, diamond necklace, all my silver Tiffany pieces (I hate polishing them), and few other specialty items and donated them all.

What a release of energy I felt. Almost like cutting off my hair in Maui with Michelle. And since this transition, my life has improved.

Good things are happening!

Miso Mayo

I have discovered the tastiest vegan thing yet! It's called Miso Mayo. I get the spicy red pepper flavor, but there is also plain. It is made by the So Good Food Co. in Venice, CA and I found it at our local natural food store. I put it on sandwiches, mixed it with soy cream cheese to make a dip or spread. Most recently I added it to my tofu, vegetable stir fry. It is amazing! I love it!

I'm back on track with my veganess, after a bit of a side track to the mid-west. As I have mentioned before, traveling and socializing and being vegan are really hard. I was lucky to be vegetarian on my latest trip to Chicago. When I ordered a salad without the cheese and meat and with vinagrette dressing, I still got the cheese and ranch dressing. It was frustrating, but instead of freaking out, I just went with it. I was traveling with too many people (plus my 2 young boys) to sit in line and complain every time this happened.

I am back in control of my eating and loving it! I feel awesome and am more energized than ever to continue on this journey!

Struggling to be Vegan

This is so hard! It is next to impossible to have a social life and a strict diet like veganism. When going to a restaurant or to a friends house for a meal I am usually lucky enough to get my boys organized and out the door with their picky food choices in hand. I rarely have enough time and innovation for myself. Also, most of my vegan food consists of fresh veggies and fruits which don't keep unless in a cooler. I have this hilarious image of me dragging a cooler around with me every where I go! Not going to happen =).

I survived 6 days of camping with few slip ups thanks to a day and a half of baking and cooking meals and snacks to take along. One thing I know for sure, being vegan means planning ahead! On the 4th morning of our trip I completely cracked! My 16 month old had me up at 3am and despite driving the roads around camp to try and sooth him back to sleep, we were awake! I tried to find a diner that was open catering to truckers and fishermen with little luck. What I needed was some serious comfort food to make me feel better. I was brought to tears (literally) at the fact that I couldn't find any where to indulge in meat at this weak point in my vegan journey. When back at camp I asked my brother in law, a self proclaimed carnivore extreme, if I could borrow some sausage and eggs for breakfast. He said in a sorrowful voice, "We are all out." The tears started to flow again as I mixed my morning smoothie.

Socializing

This past week was the biggest test of my new vegan lifestyle. As I have previously acknowledged, being a stay at home vegan is so easy. You have complete control over ingredients. Going out, or even worse, to other people's houses is almost impossible without bringing a bag packed with snacks and meals for yourself! Unless you like starving...I don't!

So I find it hard to be rude and say no thank you to food someone presents to me. It is also a new thing for me so many friends and family don't know or think I am that serious about it. I guess you could say I instilled the idea of "love food" a bit this week.

I try hard not to talk about my vegan transition too much around people for a few reasons. One, I don't want to come across as preaching or a know it all. I don't want to judge those who choose not to educate themselves about the meat and dairy industries, just like I don't want them to judge me. THIS IS SO HARD! I want to scream, "Do you know what they are doing to your food?" But I refrain, after all I was one of them just a month ago.

Secondly, people are so opinionated! Inevitably the topic comes up when I am with a group. Maybe I told one person in the group and they shared or maybe the conversation went there some how. Regardless when I do divulge this personal and meaningful life decision to people, many don't support it. I have reactions from "Oh no." to just staring blankly at me. I have to give my mom some props here because she said, "Good for you!" It made me feel so good when she supported this major decision.

I am finding the move from strictly at home vegan to social vegan quite challenging. I am sure once it becomes more routine and a part of who I am I will feel more comfortable and so will my family and friends. *One lesson learned, if someone is having you over, offer to bring something to add to the party. I brought hummus and veggies to my friends this weekend. Everyone likes it and it is vegan so you won't starve if nothing else is!

Lara, it probably feels liberating to give things away, even in small chunks. I am impressed and empowered by your commitment toward full veganess (aka total vegan). I found some cute vegan and vegetarian shoes at http://www.zappos.com/. Of course what I need as a Kindergarten teacher and what you need as an attorney are a little different, but check it out.

I cooked all day yesterday to prepare vegan food for our family camping trip today. We will see how this goes...another major vegan challenge. Ryan's family loves meat!!! Thank you, Julie for the vegan cookie recipes from the Skinny Bitch In the Kitchen book. Mine turned out a little dry but still very tasty.

Nordstrom Sale

Nordstrom Sale: Friday was the first day of the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and I set out to buy non-animal made shoes. I did find one pair (Munro, a comfort shoe) of great looking boots but unfortunately they looked a little funny so I didn’t buy them. I asked the sales guy if he knew of any other shoes (for Fall, closed toe) that were not made out of leather. He said “Yes, I will bring you out a couple to try on.” I was excited! Finally, I was going to be able to replace some of my leather shoes. He came back with his arms full of boxes. As he flipped the lids off the boxes, I noticed that every single pair were made of suede. I informed him of this and he said that it was not leather nor, was it made of animal products – “These are suede,” he said. I smiled and kindly educated him what suede was made of. Too funny. No shoes for me on this shopping trip!

Michelle and I spoke this weekend and we both had desserts made of eggs and dairy, her an awesome brownie and me this amazing cookie. YUMMY! But we are trying and loving our new vegan lifestyle (even if we forget we are vegan for 10 minutes). We are miles ahead of how we used to eat so we are not being too hard on ourselves!

I am currently reading, The China Study and I feel more motivated than ever. Michelle – this book is a must read, when I am done I will give it to you. I did ask John to read it, I will let you know if he does.

So I googled Louise Hay and I could not find out if she is Vegan. I will keep looking. Also, I gave away three pairs of my leather shoes and one designer Burberry handbag. I feel good about it. On my way to see the movie Batman with my husband in a few minutes.

Finally, I COOKED, yes you read that correctly. I COOKED! I am very proud of myself. I cooked for almost 2 hours yesterday and fed my mom, my niece Julia, and daughter a very healthy dinner.