Just a quick note.
Since my blog was created for my 10-day vegan challenge without as much as a thought about what will happen after day 10, the URL of this blog reflects that impulse decision.
So after 32 days I realized, I need to change that.
I moved this blog to a new location. Nothing changes, but the URL. So please, update your bookmarks:
almostveganchallenge.blogspot.com
I'll continue my ramblings there and delete this blog, eventually.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Day 32 - rambling
With not much to report I just feel like rambling a bit. I am still not sure about today's lunch. I mean, I'm hungry and all, but lack motivation to head home to cook. So maybe I'll just wait until the working hours are over and then made me a tortilla... which will require a grocery stop first for lettuce, since I ate all of it yesterday evening in one of my extra large salads. He he :)
I might stop at a local vendor. I don't know about your country, but we are fully packed with ex-Yugoslavian people selling fruits & veggies in small shops, that are not even built, but just a tin house or some other prefabricated solution. They do tend to have good quality products (in sense of taste & appearance, but I highly doubt they're anything close to organic) but at a high price (strawberries at 14 €/kg, whereas in a regular shop you can get them at 6€/kg). And if I want a really good watermelon I'll usually buy it there, no matter the price. Yeah, I'm sensitive when it comes to watermelons.
I'm lucky to live close (like, 100m) to the most important facilities. We have a bakery, this fruit man is a new addition, pharmacy, a regular shop and an small organic shop, where yesterday I spent a fortune, just buying some bars, a traditionally baked bread (from bakers oven on wood fire - really YUM!) and ... wait for it... hemp protein powder! Actually, I entered the store to buy me some coconut water and left it minus 30 eur on my bank account. I still don't know how this actually happened, but when I spotted the hemp protein powder on the shelf, I just had to have it. Anyway, haven't tried it yet, just opened the package for a smell, curious me. It actually smells like... powdered hay, who would have thought, ha :) So I guess I'll try mixing it in a banana smoothie, for start. Just need to gather the courage to give it a try.
And I still need to try a green smoothie, I have plenty of organic spinach but it's not the most appropriate for raw consumption, since it has been growing the whole winter. My mom actually already planted a spring crop that should be ready for consumption in 2 weeks. Now THAT is something that will go straight into my salads and smoothies!
I'll leave you with a cute picture of our 2,5 year old female beagle, stretching in the sun. La vita e' bella, right?
I might stop at a local vendor. I don't know about your country, but we are fully packed with ex-Yugoslavian people selling fruits & veggies in small shops, that are not even built, but just a tin house or some other prefabricated solution. They do tend to have good quality products (in sense of taste & appearance, but I highly doubt they're anything close to organic) but at a high price (strawberries at 14 €/kg, whereas in a regular shop you can get them at 6€/kg). And if I want a really good watermelon I'll usually buy it there, no matter the price. Yeah, I'm sensitive when it comes to watermelons.
I'm lucky to live close (like, 100m) to the most important facilities. We have a bakery, this fruit man is a new addition, pharmacy, a regular shop and an small organic shop, where yesterday I spent a fortune, just buying some bars, a traditionally baked bread (from bakers oven on wood fire - really YUM!) and ... wait for it... hemp protein powder! Actually, I entered the store to buy me some coconut water and left it minus 30 eur on my bank account. I still don't know how this actually happened, but when I spotted the hemp protein powder on the shelf, I just had to have it. Anyway, haven't tried it yet, just opened the package for a smell, curious me. It actually smells like... powdered hay, who would have thought, ha :) So I guess I'll try mixing it in a banana smoothie, for start. Just need to gather the courage to give it a try.
And I still need to try a green smoothie, I have plenty of organic spinach but it's not the most appropriate for raw consumption, since it has been growing the whole winter. My mom actually already planted a spring crop that should be ready for consumption in 2 weeks. Now THAT is something that will go straight into my salads and smoothies!
I'll leave you with a cute picture of our 2,5 year old female beagle, stretching in the sun. La vita e' bella, right?
Day 31 - tomato risotto with leek & zucchini
TOMATO RISOTTO with leek & zucchini
with addition of ground dried wheat sprouts
serves: 2
spoon of olive oil
1 small leek
150 ml of tomato sauce
200 g rice (arborio)
0,5 l vegetable stock
1 small zucchini
water (optional)
salt, pepper
spices to taste
1 spoon of ground dried wheat sprouts (optional)
In an iron-cast pot heat a spoon of olive oil until hot, then add leek and stir-fry. Add rice and fry briefly, then add tomato sauce, mix well and pour vegetable stock. Mix and cook on low heat according to producer's instructions (usually 12-18 minutes). Stir only if needed to prevent sticking to the pot. About 5 - 10 minutes before the rice is done, add the zucchini. Season to taste. If the rice absorb all of the liquids, add water if needed to continue cooking.
Serve hot. Optionally, you can top your rice with a spoon of ground dried wheat sprouts, for protein.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Day 30 - first run
I just couldn't pass the opportunity. As soon as I got home from work, I changed into my running clothes and gave a kick in the ass to the old man's lazy ass (just joking!).
We went running for the first time this year. I've been so waiting for this. Being the first recreation at all since autumn when we finished with hiking and after a whole winter of hibernation, a 1 km run must be enough. I don't want to like die tomorrow. The rest of the path we walked (it's something like 5 - 6 km).
I was almost high. Such energy, such spirit! And 1 whole kilometer without any problems after so much time of doing nothing! If I remember two years ago when my partner took me running with him for the first time... I ran possibly 200 m, in breaks of 50 m... and almost died there. It took me quite a few tries to reach 1 km, but I don't think I ever got further than 4 km... it's also true I usually exchange running for biking in summer, and last year hiking in autumn.
I hope for another run tomorrow, before the weather turns bad on weekend (they're saying it's going to snow again. SNOW?! We had like 16°C today!).
I'm contemplating another goal this year. Not only vegan (which I simply adore!) but maybe a mini marathon, too? 10 km suddenly doesn't sound so frighting anymore and I know I'd have a great support & company in this challenge.
I'll let you know.
We went running for the first time this year. I've been so waiting for this. Being the first recreation at all since autumn when we finished with hiking and after a whole winter of hibernation, a 1 km run must be enough. I don't want to like die tomorrow. The rest of the path we walked (it's something like 5 - 6 km).
photo: johnnyberg
I was almost high. Such energy, such spirit! And 1 whole kilometer without any problems after so much time of doing nothing! If I remember two years ago when my partner took me running with him for the first time... I ran possibly 200 m, in breaks of 50 m... and almost died there. It took me quite a few tries to reach 1 km, but I don't think I ever got further than 4 km... it's also true I usually exchange running for biking in summer, and last year hiking in autumn.
I hope for another run tomorrow, before the weather turns bad on weekend (they're saying it's going to snow again. SNOW?! We had like 16°C today!).
I'm contemplating another goal this year. Not only vegan (which I simply adore!) but maybe a mini marathon, too? 10 km suddenly doesn't sound so frighting anymore and I know I'd have a great support & company in this challenge.
I'll let you know.
Day 30 - sunbathing
With the lovely sunshine and warm temperatures we have been having these days, it seemed a sin to pass the opportunity:
Lunch on the balcony!
Some leftover zucchini, leftover gnocchi and even leftover viennese style soy steak, which I crumbled in. Mixed altogether with cream and voila'! Minimal 20 g of protein on that plate!
Oh, and some aloe drink in the glass.
And I spent a good 15 minutes soaking up vitamin D.
Lunch on the balcony!
Some leftover zucchini, leftover gnocchi and even leftover viennese style soy steak, which I crumbled in. Mixed altogether with cream and voila'! Minimal 20 g of protein on that plate!
Oh, and some aloe drink in the glass.
And I spent a good 15 minutes soaking up vitamin D.
Day 30 - not finished yet
Day 30 came and I'm just not ready to quit yet.
In my 30 days I had 2 non-vegan donuts, a few eggs (breakfast, mostly) and 1 canned tuna (that's 50 g of tuna) that I did not particularly enjoy.
In my 30 days I lost 4 kg, 7-8 cm in waistline, 2 cm on my hips and 2 cm on my thighs (and losing) - which is the area I want most to work on. And all this without even cutting on my meal portions. If anything, I'm eating more than ever. The past week I have eaten so much junk food that - any other day - it would have shown on my waistline, for sure. Well, my PMS is gone now and so is the junk food out of my menu.
My jeans are really coming loose. Skirts that were a bit tight, are fitting great now. The one thing no one speaks about: my digestion improved dramatically. In my PMS times I used to be really blocked, for like days, and needed extra magnesium and digestive mineral waters for help. Well, all great in that department as well this month!
I feel great, I mean, really great.
As my partner is currently suffering from some kind of spring fatigue and needs sleep, I have been adjusting myself naturally to the summer clock (waking up at 6.30 on my own, but still going back to sleep until 7am). Well, truthfully, I mostly fall asleep by 11pm tops on the couch, so I do get my beauty sleep. I also regularly consume Vitamin C supplements (I don't believe you can have too much Vitamin C in spring time), so I guess that helps, too.
Not eating meat the past 30 days has been great - physically and mentally. But I do believe this is not a decision to be taken on a whim. I have been preparing myself for this for a long time. Thinking about it. Trying a day or two. Reading about it. Researching it. Supplying myself with cookbooks. Thinking about what to cook & eat. And, also very important, informing my family about it for support.
If you're a bit picky about the food you eat, going vegan means more effort. I admit, I am picky. I don't like beans, at all (sometimes I eat them in soups, though - where I cannot see them). I also hate mushrooms (because they're... you know.... fungi. Like... mold and skin-infections stuff, eww). I also have trouble with some greens, sour food and beets. So preparing meals means double trick. I am trying my best and over the past years have learnt to eat & enjoy more vegetables than ever. But with some food it's just plain struggle and I really fear eating out :) Like, you order vegetarian you get cheese, you ask no cheese you get mushrooms. Familiar?
So, to sum up. Expanding this to 90 days!
With spring approaching and more goods in season (mom will soon start providing), this should be fun!
In my 30 days I had 2 non-vegan donuts, a few eggs (breakfast, mostly) and 1 canned tuna (that's 50 g of tuna) that I did not particularly enjoy.
In my 30 days I lost 4 kg, 7-8 cm in waistline, 2 cm on my hips and 2 cm on my thighs (and losing) - which is the area I want most to work on. And all this without even cutting on my meal portions. If anything, I'm eating more than ever. The past week I have eaten so much junk food that - any other day - it would have shown on my waistline, for sure. Well, my PMS is gone now and so is the junk food out of my menu.
My jeans are really coming loose. Skirts that were a bit tight, are fitting great now. The one thing no one speaks about: my digestion improved dramatically. In my PMS times I used to be really blocked, for like days, and needed extra magnesium and digestive mineral waters for help. Well, all great in that department as well this month!
I feel great, I mean, really great.
As my partner is currently suffering from some kind of spring fatigue and needs sleep, I have been adjusting myself naturally to the summer clock (waking up at 6.30 on my own, but still going back to sleep until 7am). Well, truthfully, I mostly fall asleep by 11pm tops on the couch, so I do get my beauty sleep. I also regularly consume Vitamin C supplements (I don't believe you can have too much Vitamin C in spring time), so I guess that helps, too.
Not eating meat the past 30 days has been great - physically and mentally. But I do believe this is not a decision to be taken on a whim. I have been preparing myself for this for a long time. Thinking about it. Trying a day or two. Reading about it. Researching it. Supplying myself with cookbooks. Thinking about what to cook & eat. And, also very important, informing my family about it for support.
If you're a bit picky about the food you eat, going vegan means more effort. I admit, I am picky. I don't like beans, at all (sometimes I eat them in soups, though - where I cannot see them). I also hate mushrooms (because they're... you know.... fungi. Like... mold and skin-infections stuff, eww). I also have trouble with some greens, sour food and beets. So preparing meals means double trick. I am trying my best and over the past years have learnt to eat & enjoy more vegetables than ever. But with some food it's just plain struggle and I really fear eating out :) Like, you order vegetarian you get cheese, you ask no cheese you get mushrooms. Familiar?
So, to sum up. Expanding this to 90 days!
With spring approaching and more goods in season (mom will soon start providing), this should be fun!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Day 29 - wrap it up
After my whole-day fasting I returned home so hungry as you wouldn't believe. Something very quickly prepared was my only option. So:
TORTILLA with Viennese style soy steak
Serves: 1
1-2 tortilla
1 viennese style soy steak
vegetables (whatever is in your fridge - lettuce, carrots, zucchini, bell peppers,...)
sauce (optional)
Quickly pan-fry the soy steak (3-4 minutes) alongside with veggies (zucchini, peppers,...). Remove from pan and add tortillas to heat them up (1 minute each side, or less). Prepare other veggies (lettuce, carrots,... wash, peel, slice,...)
Assemble, wrap it & enjoy.
TORTILLA with Viennese style soy steak
Serves: 1
1-2 tortilla
1 viennese style soy steak
vegetables (whatever is in your fridge - lettuce, carrots, zucchini, bell peppers,...)
sauce (optional)
Quickly pan-fry the soy steak (3-4 minutes) alongside with veggies (zucchini, peppers,...). Remove from pan and add tortillas to heat them up (1 minute each side, or less). Prepare other veggies (lettuce, carrots,... wash, peel, slice,...)
Assemble, wrap it & enjoy.
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