Who Moved My Cheese (and Meat and Poultry)?

Several days ago, my husband came home from a bacon- and donut-rich family brunch (the cronuts are to die for) and announced that we were going vegan for 30 days. I perked right up. I told him I was more than ready to get on board and give it my best shot. I have been sleeping even more poorly than usual, and have gained a few pounds since my wedding due to careless eating (nachos and pasta with rose sauce like erry day). So I need to get my body—inside and out—into shape.

In the past, I have been interested in Morgan Spurlock’s McDonald’s experiments and the book Fast Food Nation. Most recently, I was moved by What the Health, a documentary on Netflix. The film featured experts talking about diseases like cancer and diabetes and their links to meat and dairy. It fascinated me and I saw enough to inspire change in my household. Then I watched Cowspiracy, which was made by the same filmmakers back in 2014. Both films have some grotesque scenes involving animal cruelty. If you know me at all, you absolutely know that I am not an animal advocate by any means and I have never and will never own a pet. But even I was moved by this disgusting thing we call animal agriculture. And to be honest, I just don’t want pig puss in my food. Don’t even get me started on government funding and the water waste and gases, etc. You just have to check it out and see what the fuss is all about.

Being a vegan or even a vegetarian for that matter seems like a humongous hassle when dining out or socializing. I think there’s a negative stigma to people who have dietary restrictions or preferences. Like if someone is hosting a BBQ, they might complain about a certain guest who won’t be able to eat their food because of their “issues.” Gluten-free diets get a lot of eye rolls. When you say you are vegan, people are looking for your dreadlocks, bell bottoms, and tie-dye backpack. Over the past few days, I have talked to so many people on different diets and they are happy with how their bodies have changed, whether it’s paleo, primal, gluten-free, cutting bad carbs and sugar, pescatarian, or vegan.

The common thread I’ve heard is that people tend to feel better when they eat less or no dairy. Even though I have always been a cheese lover and usually can’t resist a cheese board with all the trimmings, it has been frighteningly easy to give it up. My go-to snack was white cheddar popcorn and I think I will cave in to that eventually, but right now after 5 days vegan, I report absolutely zero cravings for dairy or meat. Hunger pangs in general just don’t exist.

I think I actually have been feeding my body nutrients and it likes it. I am taking a daily multivitamin, as I think most vegans and vegetarians are urged to do. It is shocking to me that haters’ main concern is where I’m getting my protein. Um, from natural foods and not artery-clogging ones. It only takes a bit of research to learn that little things like spinach, whole grains, and nuts can totally cover you.

So what am I eating?? We started out super strong, stocking up on fruit, veggies, hummus, and rice/quinoa pasta. If I can’t have my pasta, I won’t want to do any diet. I have willingly switched over to either whole wheat or rice/quinoa pasta and I can tell the difference—it tastes better. I tried jackfruit for the first time ever! It tastes like meat, only better. I tried tempeh as a bacon alternative and we had TLTs for breakfast with non-dairy mayo. Life is good and it keeps getting better with these options and alternatives to foods that could really just be making us all sick.

For me, veganism is not forever. When I go to the beach next weekend, oh yes I’ll be having crabs. But I really don’t see myself adding eggs or chicken or milk or beef back into my routine anytime soon. I’m not too afraid of some of these ingredients (like maybe butter) being in my recipe in a restaurant if it’s too difficult to swap out. I don’t want to be that horrible person who gets eye rolls from the server. But I do want to enjoy a healthy lifestyle now that I have started. I’m committing to at least 10 days and right now I’m halfway there. Smooth sailing.