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!