DAY 40!!!!!!

WOOHOO! Day 40!!

Denise - Long time no post...

It's been over two weeks that I've posted! I've thought about it and realized it's partly the fact that I started a new full-time job, partly the fact that I've been deathly ill for the last two weeks, but also - it's due to the fact that being a vegan, somewhere along the line, became normal. My day-to-day living is no longer characterized by my veganism and frustrations are fewer and farer between. As I suspected, 40 days really is a good amount of time to truly experience something and see change in your habits.

Mind you it hasn't been all smooth sailing. I had a woman eat a macadamia nut cookie with a mouthwatering look on her face sympathizing with me about how sad it was I couldn't eat it. I had a friend who wouldn't stop asking why I would do such a crazy thing when there is so much meat and eggs and pizzas to eat. And then of course there's my own doubt: is this really making a difference? What about the farmers I'm not supporting? Am I this sick because I'm not eating dairy or meat? What about amino acids and B12 and iron and selenium and calcium and all the other things everyone keep asking me how I'm getting??

And I can definitely sympathize with James' post - the real challenge is the day I go my grandmother's house and announce that I won't eat meat.

So, yes, I'm filled with doubt and worry, but I'm also happy that I've been able to get through this so easily. And many people have been extremely supportive. I went to a Cambodian restaurant the other day and though they had several tofu dishes, when I asked, the waitress said that all the sauces were chicken-broth based. However, the restaurant went out of their way to prepare a dish for me without any animal ingredients. I thought that was great (however, it goes to show: just because a dish has tofu instead of meat, it doesn't mean it's vegetarian).

Speaking of not knowing whether something is veggie, did you know that some beers and wines are unsuitable for vegetarians?? They can be filtered with animal ingredients such as isinglass (derived from fish - often sturgeon stomachs, blech!) or bone char. The process is called fining and here's the kicker - it isn't indicated anywhere on the product. Veganporn.com (don't worry, no naked pictures of carrots or anything) has started a vegan booze directory: www.veganporn.com/booze.pl. I sent an email to my favourite brewery and they confirmed that they are vegan-friendly. If you do your own research, be sure to let veganporn.com know so there can finally be a comprehensive list on the web.

So I'll be celebrating with my vegan beer tomorrow night. Good luck to everyone on this, the Challenge Eve!

Situational Ethics

Well, I encountered my first real struggle on the previous weekend. I went home
to visit my family and ended up eating yes...pizza. The real problem was
that it is already a strained relationship especially with regards to my
choices in life. So to take a stand and put up a fight over something trivial
as a few pieces of pizza is ridiculous. It was also that or eat nothing for
24 hours.

With my brother being apart of the capitalist society and yes
the land rover too, the idea of keeping the heat at 12 degrees or not
eating animal products escapes his mind, so you see it is hard for me to
reconcile these things to him and his wife. They have been very supportive of me
but don't understand why I make the choices I make. I am afraid that if I
start to give them information that it will strain things even further
or that they feel that I am preaching to them. So I simply try to make
some little suggestions and influence them in a minor way, for now at least.

I now know what Stef goes through when she lives at home and must live with others, and compromise must be apart of life. There is always a time and place to make a stand but it must be chosen carefully depending on the topic/ideal.
James

Halfway!!

What better way to celebrate Day 20 then with a vegan chocolate-rasberry cake from The Table!

Congrats to everyone for making it to the halfway mark. 20 down, 20 more to go!

Denise

Day 18 - All I needed was a banana...

Breakfast has always been my favourite meal and it usually consists of largely non-vegan elements. Today, I awoke with the thought of eggs, the desire for eggs, the undeniable craving for EGGS!! I poured myself into housework to try and ignore my ovo-thoughts and get through until lunch. But then I had an epiphany. I thought about how much I love fried bananas on french toast and started to wonder whether I could bring them together. With a little guidance from my cookbook, The Vegetarian Manifesto by Jay Fothergill, I made one of the best breakfasts I've ever had, vegan or not. I wasn't going to include a lot of recipes here, but this one I credit with renewing my optimism about veganism, so it deserves a mention:

Chop up one banana
Add some soy milk (like you would with normal french toast)
Sprinkle in cinammon and a little nutmeg

A food processor works best here, but if you don't have one, mash up these ingredients into a liquid goo.

Dunk in bread and let soak a bit, then scrape off as much of the goop as you can (bananas will burn when fried). Drop in an oiled pan and fry until browned, but not burned. Pour on syrup and enjoy!!!

Oh, and make sure to wash the pan soon after, for the caramelized banana will really stick.

Now, if only I can find an adequate alternative to fried egg on toast...

Denise on Day 15 - Frustration...

Until today, everything has been running rather smoothly. Most side effects have been surprisingly positive and I've been able to keep a good attitude in the face of any annoyances. But today put the "challenge" back in Veggie Challenge. I was in a moment where I was in a rush and had a bad case of hunger. I ran into, of all places, a local organic food store and looked for some portable munchies. I had a craving for a sandwich, but every single one of them had some sort of milk ingredient or eggs, or something. I missed my bus and had to settled on samosas, which are great don't get me wrong, but not what I wanted...And then I get to the volunteer centre and have to go back out into the cold to get soy milk to have some much needed coffee.

Nobody's fault but my own and it was probably just a bad day, but it was all quite aggravated by dietary constraints none the less.

Tomorrow I'll make some of my famous baked tofu sandwiches and all will be ok...

Right?

Moderation - James

I have decided that since I cant have cheese I will allow myself some sugar. A mild cop out for now but I still the cravings for cheese/pizza amaze me.
As for Denise, that pic looks like sherbet and not sorbet. I looked at the labels of both and sorbet is milk product free however sherbet contains some.
I have also noticed a lot of "candies" contain gelatin which is created by prolonged boiling of connective tissue such as skin, cartilage, and bones obtained from the animal processing industry. I found this hard to believe but junk food is not vegetarian! A definite eye opener for me. Thankfully I haven't had any in past few years but looking at the labels has been educational.
James

day 12 Stef

Since the beginning of the challenge, I have been very much aware of all the animal products that we eat. They really are everywhere, and though I don't intend to take up veganism while I still live here, I'm thinking of reducing the amount of animal products not in recipes that I eat (example: eggs for breakfast, a glass of milk). this reminds me: I learned yesterday that many studies show that drinking milk is in no way necessary to humans, that calcium is easy to get from elsewhere and that it was only semi-rencently publicized and ranked essential because of pressures put by the industry. You don't need to drink milk to love life, it seems! I'm also doing many readings on the monstrous ecological damages caused by agriculture and cattle domestication. Every commercial I see on tv offers me something that is bad for the environment! hm. Miaou. I have few urges for meat, really, but I think I compensate by eating a lot of cheese and sugar. I'm very inspired by the path Mike has decided to walk upon. (can you say "upon" in this context?) Keep up the healthy lifestyle, folks.
your sista from anotha motha
stef

A gaffe!

Two days ago we celebrated Day 10 - a quarter of the way there! Not that I'm counting, though. Going vegan has yet to be as much as a challenge as I expected.

But then...yesterday I went to eat some sorbet and was halfway through it when I realized I didn't check the ingredients. And there it was: "Modified Milk Ingredients." Aack!

I don't feel bad because I didn't know, but it did go to show that avoiding animal products is no easy task and you have to be vigilant at all times - at least at the beginning before you amass the knowledge and food that turns it into a habit and then a lifestyle.

It's definitely one of the hardest things to adjust to - the whole obsessive-compulsive label checking thing. I remember the good old days of whisking through the grocery store and dropping whatever struck my fancy in the cart, or going to a restaurant and not worrying about what they cook with - or worst of all, being that picky person who just has to ask all these questions. I used to pride myself on being a really easy-going guest or patron.

There is a flipside, though. I am happy to know that there are fewer unknowns in my food. Most vegan products are also organic and preservative-free. And checking labels has helped me choose better products and feel good about the food I eat and the companies I support. And have I mentioned lately how much less junk food and sweets I'm eating? Sorry to be obsessed, but I have been trying for years to replace candy bars with broccoli and I'm actually doing it and feel super good and healthy! There is a huge difference between trying to go on a fad diet and being plagued with guilt for slipping, and making a choice based on ethics and overall health, not just fat-cutting.

Why was I fighting this

I grew up in a small town. A Steel town, where pretty much everybody I know has bacon for breakfast, cold cut sandwiches for lunch and a steak for dinner. I could not imagine a life without eating meat. Since I have moved to Ottawa I have had my eyes opened up to different possibilities. I have friends that are vegetarian, vegan freegan and even raw vegans. One of my favourite places to eat used to be the Keg and now it is the Pantry. I have to thank Gerard Daechsel and Carolyn Best from the Pantry for introducing me to this. I was glad to see the PERC put forth this "Veggie challenge". Even though I knew about all the personal health benefits and this lower impact a vegetarian diet has on the world I still had difficulty convincing myself this is the way for me to go. Now that I have taken on the challenge I can see that it is not that difficult. My next challenge is convince my friends and family of the merits. I have already tricked them into enjoying vegetarian chili, burgers, eggsalad and stir fry. Nobody knew the difference until I told them afterward. I figure if I can atleast reduce the amount of meat they eat, it will make a huge difference. I hope everyone else in the PERC is taking on the challenge too.


Jason Lawrence
PERC Board secretary

James' foe

For me the vegan challenge has actually been very difficult. As most know I live with a pretty healthy diet with the exception of the odd pizza slice or bit of Ice Cream and yes sugar. However now that I cant have it makes me want it all that more! Temptation be damed I have hell-d out, an amazing feat for the instant gratifier in me. I keep plugging along with the fat on my body being reduced, just amazing. Hold the will power all.

Denise on Day 6 - Groceries

A wide selection of interesting goodies, all vegan and the cost was the same of the one meal I had at Whalesbone on the eve of this challenge.



Highlights? Hazelnut-almond butter, cheeseless pesto, lentil balls (super yummy), and swiss chard.

I've also found a positive flipside to the frustration of my sweet tooth - I've been out of town at meetings for the last two days and every session was offering a wide variety of pastries and sweets. Normally I couldn't help sneaking a few and always regret it. But when you can't eat them, it's much easier not to think about it and I don't leave feeling stuffed or high on sugar. So far it looks like veganism is a healthy switch for me. I'm looking into nutrition stuff, though, and will post my findings later.

February is challenge month!

Just a quick note to say that several people have also taken this 40 days for their own challenges. I have a friend who has challenged himself not to drink any alcohol for 40 days, others who are thinking about not smoking for at least part of the time and Mike has embarked on a 100km diet challenge (!) You can check out all of Mike's (mis)adventures on his challenge blog http://www.dietchallenge.blogspot.com/. Good luck to you, oh Coordinator, I think you win the prize for most challengiest challenge!

Anyone else out there joining us in their own way??

Day 6 Stefou

It makes me a little uncomfortable to realize that I haven't prepared a single meal since the beginning of the challenge. Being busy with university, I let the family become a very traditional place and am ashamed of it. I think this week I'll cook something for everyone. Maybe I'll take a recipe that we typically make with chicken and replace it with tofu or something like that. Today, as I was working on costumes in the theater department where I study, a woman put on a (real) fur coat and, when people accused her of being cruel, she said leave me alone! You eat meat, don't you?

If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian. ~Paul McCartney

Stef- Day 3

Hmm...I say day 3, but I haven't even been counting. Things are going smoo-ooth. My parents and brother ate meat leftovers for dinner tonight and had the kindness to heat up some Kitchiri for me. (here is a recipe; not the one my mother has, but it looks about the same http://members.tripod.com/~priya_s/htmlfiles/rice.html#skkb) Last night,my friend (also a vegetarian)'s parents thought us ridiculous to eat a different meal than they and made carrot jokes. It was the third carrot joke I got since the beginning of the challenge. The two first were from my father, who is actually supportive, but wouldn't consider trying it out for himself. It seems to be the case of many people. I have to say I found it a little weird to reffuse food from people who had invited me to dinner. I don't think that I want to make absolutly no exceptions once the challenge is over. For now, it's more about the personnal challenge and noticing how many times a day you are offered or tempted by animal products.
p.s. I'm not using a spellcheck. Mille excuses.

Denises's Day 3 - some challenges...

So today I had the pleasure of attending a largely vegan potluck with a wide selection of dishes (sushi, curry, peanut-butter beans, miso soup). But when dessert time rolled around...

Sumptuous rhubarb crumble made with margarine (see Day 1 - Denise) served with vanilla ice-cream and the yummiest-looking macaroon balls dipped in chocolate made with lots o' butter. I successfully restrained myself, but it wasn't easy, and it didn't make me a very happy camper to hear everyone exclaiming on how good the desserts were. Did I mention I have a pretty mean sweet tooth? Oh well, take the bad with the good I guess...

The potluck brought out a vegan question: what's the story with honey? I was putting some in a salad dressing I made when I remembered that some vegans don't eat honey. Someone said that honey is required for bee reproduction, but everything I have read says it is their food and I've always been led to believe that taking honey is not harmful to the bees. Anyone have thoughts on this?

Being veggie will make you smarter!?

"Intelligent children are more likely to become vegetarians later in life, a study says.

A Southampton University team found those who were vegetarian by 30 had recorded five IQ points more on average at the age of 10.

Researchers said it could explain why people with higher IQ were healthier as a vegetarian diet was linked to lower heart disease and obesity rates."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6180753.stm

No surprise, right Steph?

Day 1 - Denise

Thanks for the tip Steph, I love indian food! But does anyone out there know if they use cream or butter in the richer dishes??

My first day was also successful! I had my "Last Supper" last night at Whalesbone (a pretty much fish-only restaurant) to commemorate the "end" of my meat eating days.

However, I must report that my first day was not as easy and smooth as I naively thought it would be. I went to my local Bridgehead this morning, as usual, and ordered a large dark, as usual, and put a big sploosh of cream in, as usual...(!) Luckily, I realized the error of my ways before I sat down and returned to the counter for a new cup with soy milk...boy I got some weird stares and had to explain my new veganism to not look like a crazy lady (not sure if that tactic worked, but at least I didn't make a boo-boo so soon in the game!)

THEN I discovered that replacing another staple in my diet, butter on toast, with margarine on toast was not going to work either (whey is a milk product?!) but made the lovely discovery that hummus on toast is awesome! So all-in-all a learning experience, but a good first day, I think. On to the next!

Day One - Stef Clermont

Oui! No meat consumed today, and no problem at all. This morning, as I was choosing what to eat for breakast, I came across chicken wings and felt like eating one. But I didn't. Why? Because I am part of this challenge. I am devoted to this challenge. My only purpose is the Veggie Challenge. However, being a squatter in my parent's house, I decided not to go vegan, because this would mean having a completly different diet than theirs. As things are presently, we only eat meat about twice a week (excluding sandwishes), so I figure I can satisfy my needs and reach my goal without having to buy my own food (hahahahahahahaha). This being said, I actually ate at a restaurant for lunch. Indian buffets have a great variety of vegetarian meals! Denise, you should try it out. Over and out, Stef C

Countdown is on...

So here I go... In just a couple more days I'll be starting my vegan challenge. I was originally going to go vegetarian, but I had already considered becoming one for many years and tight finances were pushing me that way anyway, so I wanted the extra challenge. I am still exploring the subject, but my main reason for considering making the change is farming practices, which don't improve for any animal product. And it will be hard, which is pretty much the goal, or else we would call it the "Veggie Vacation"...

I did have to do one thing to prepare, though. I am a big coffee drinker and can't drink it without a nice splash of cream in it. So I walked over to Bridgehead, ordered my usual large dark and asked for soy milk. I sat down, crossed my fingers, and took a sip. What a relief! It was actually really drinkable. That done, I could take on this challenge full force!

For full article, click on www.perc.ca/vols/pvn/01-29-07/veg.html

D

Welcome to the challenge blog!

Started by volunteers from Ottawa's Peace and Environment Resource Centre, on February 1st we are starting a 40-day vegetarian/vegan challenge! For those thinking about trying out the whole not eating meat thing, the the encouragement and co-involvement (or co-miseration depending how you look at it) of others might help you make this step. There's nothing in the world like community.

So here's how it's going to play out: on February 1st we make a commitment to become vegetarian, or vegan if one chooses, for 40 whole days (no religious significance here). And you, our loyal readers and supporters, can either join in or follow our journey on the challenge blog. There will be almost daily updates on how we're doing, what we're eating, and general information on the hows and whys of cutting out animal products in your life. You'll hear about the highs and lows and be able to make comments or give us tips and recipes on the blog.

For one perspective on why you would want to do such a rash thing as stop eating meat and animal products, check out Mike's article, PERC Potlucks: What They Are and Why They Are Vegetarian.

If you are interested in tagging along and want to be added as a blogger, contact us at veggiechallenge [insert at] yahoo.ca or give the PERC office a call and leave us your contact info. So far Stef C. and Denise M. are in preparation mode and would love to get your perspective. Yes, you! If you are looking for a challenging change to start off this new year, here's your chance.