Vegan Week — Aneissa

Jun 28

Jun 28 Vegan Week

So I adapted the vegan lifestyle for seven days, and it was an interesting experience. I underestimated the amount of preparation it takes to be a vegan. I strategically planned several meals; then I noticed eggs, or milk, or cheese, on the ingredients list and I would have to start all over! This set back was a tad bit devastating, but it also motivated me to stick to a strict diet.

Day One:

My eyes opened + I immediately wanted coffee. Huge problem, I had no dairy-free creamer! The most vital component to get me through the week I forgot it. So I substituted my coveted pipping hot java for lemon ginger tea instead. It was less than amusing, but I did get to explore some new recipes and snacks to help me along the way.

Vegan Potato Stew

This hearty soup was what I consumed the majority of the week. It was warm, filling, and undoubtedly a healthier alternative to a chunky beef potato stew. You can catch this delicious recipe on the In The Kitchen portion of this website.

Day Three:

I was craving some healthy French yogurt, no milk. I wanted Mod Pizza for lunch, no meat. My Talenti brand peanut butter gelato, Ha! Everything I involuntarily reached for was a no-no. This was when the sadness kicked in.

Angie's Boom Chica Pop

I could audibly hear angels singing when I discovered my all-time favorite snack, was vegan. Angie's Boom Chica Pop brand kettle corn is addicting, and it is only made with four ingredients! If nothing else would, I knew this could get me through the week. If you have not tried this incredible popcorn for yourself, do not walk, run to your local grocery store and indulge.

Day Five:

Fruit juice became my best friend. Almond milk-based smoothies carried me through. They are filling and don't take much thought. I would order a few for the day and space them out. This helped with detox, and they were perfect for the days I was on the go. I could see the light at the end of the tunnel; I was almost there.

Nuts + Fruit:

Nature's candy was a great snack. Walnuts and strawberries were consumed mindlessly throughout the entire week. Almonds, shredded coconut, and dark chocolate were my "Mounds" candy, and if I closed my eyes tight enough, it tasted the exact same. I also discovered vegan nut cheese! This "cheese" is made from cashew milk. It comes in many different forms to give you the illusion of the original ooey gooey. This was actually pretty mesmerizing and something I will incorporate instead of heavy dairy milk cheeses.

Would I recommend:

By the end of the week, I felt absolutely great! I had a ton of energy, and I felt more focused and alert. People obviously adapt this as a lifestyle, so it is effective. I would have to customize this and incorporate a more loosely based vegetarian diet with seafood and chicken. If you want to take some time to cleanse and detox, this is the perfect way to do it. It takes a ton of behind the scenes meal prep and consideration, but it can be done, and it is beneficial.