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.