The Gluttonous Vegan!
Cutting back on dairy, eggs, meat was more of a self realization to how I treat my body and how food effects my life.
I love junk food and I miss it. I don’t miss the bloating, the oily skin, the fatigue, the heartburn, the brittle nails, the foul moods, the bipolar affects of the man-made chemicals. I’m an adult now and I feel silly having to battle with my body on what to eat. By eating fresh foods, and vegan diet, I have lost a total of 8.5 lbs as of this morning. Yes, you may say it’s water weight, but the real weight starts coming off shortly after.
By the third day I was told my face looked slimmer, by the fourth day, I caught a glimpse of myself in a glared window and I had to do a double take. My posture was better, my stance didn’t look like I was dragging my body to the floor, and I’ll admit, I didn’t look as lazy, tired and upset. I looked like a woman. A healthy woman at that.
I also noticed the oils in my hair are different. Also when I perspire, I smell clean, not full of toxins and a 30 minute workout feels like 30 minutes, not an eternity.
For the past couple of years, I had 2 cups of coffee in the morning, 2 cups later on around the 3pm afternoon slump. The past week I have had none, and I have had no headaches, and more energy than ever. The afternoon slump? Non-existent.
I didn’t catch myself having heavy cravings but at the end of the week, just like a smoker is trying to kick the nicotine habit and having withdrawals, I caught myself having some as well. I realized when I don’t feel great about something, or I feel out of control in some way, I EAT. The funny part of this, I have no control over what I eat. I end up losing myself, the sadness, the stress, whatever emotion I don’t want to deal with in bites of food. I associate good feelings with food because I choose to taste the food rather than deal with what’s really going on. Get it? Ok, that was troubling typing it as it was realizing it. I have much more self control that I imagined and I feel so much better about life in general. I know not a lot of readers can relate to this, but after trying this diet for a few days, if I would have read this 7 days ago, I would have no idea what I was talking about.
Grocery shopping was a breeze. I usually spend about 30-45 minutes going through a list. I also drop about $80-$100 on food, not including Costco. I printed out Naomi’s recipes, I spent about $40 on what I needed, and after coming home with only two bags, I was certain this would not last me. With Naomi’s recipes, the meals lasted me all week. The soups were so good and so versatile we had it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We added more veggies or spices to change it a bit but overall, it was cheap and delicious. Every day I ate under 1,000 calories, never had seconds, and was satisfied at the end of a meal. If I craved something sweet, I substituted with vegan goodness.
Besides the benefits of going vegan, I also learned I don’t “need” certain types of food. I went to Disneyland this week. It may be the “Happiest Place in the World” but not if you are vegan. Even with the premade salads, I was rudely told to “flick off the cheese”. I did find a vegan sandwich but it was the only thing in the park besides candy. I felt like Moses walking the desert, where the heck was the food?? Next time I’m coming prepared with snacks of my own.
Now that the week is over, I don’t catch myself sprinting to the nearest McDonald’s like I thought I would. I actually decided to live a vegan lifestyle. I had no idea one week would benefit me so much and alter my way of thinking when it comes to eating and just food in general. Substituting dairy and pasta with vegan friendly foods is a must from now on. I know there may be no harm in having a slice of pizza or two but if the cravings subside, I simply could do without it. I guess my diet will be vegan at home but whenever I go out, I’ll make sure to eat as healthy as I can. I can proudly say, as a meat-cheese-loving person, I survived veganism and came out with a life changing solution to better living, thanks to Naomi’s recipes. Now, I dare you to try it 
Try her recipes here.
Also, some shots of what i’ve been substituting here.
I am so proud of you!!! Wow almost 9 pounds already?! I feel bad now, since I had a hamburger & fries for lunch, lol. And coffee – how did you do it chickie!!Kudos to you and I am thinking this might be a good way to go…your influence is like a light for me
XOXO Amy
Wow, well done!! Sounds like going vegan is doing so much good for you! I'm not a vegan or a vegetarian, but I try to limit my meat intake when I can. Do you eat tofu and tempeh? I love that stuff.I don't eat as many vegetables as I should though, so I'm definitely going to check out those recipes for some ideas.xx
I almost cried! I'm so so so proud of you and this is the exact same experience that I had when I went vegan. Seeing as we both aren't vegan for moral reasons I think thats an extremely sensible way to do it-vegan at home, not so strict when you go out. It gives you the freedom to go out and eat but won't leave you feeling like crap! I lost 22 lbs in my first 2 months, and the weight loss will slow down but it'll still carry on. Sosososo happy that this has worked out for you darl. <3<3
This is so inspiring, it really is! I'm not sure it would have as much of an impact on me, as I already eat pretty healthily (I LOVE vegatables, and find it easy to resist junk food. My weakness is sweet things), but there are still lots of things I could do.
Wow, that's amazing. I'd love to try this (I try to eat vegetarian as much as possible) but I don't cook. Would it be possible to be vegan without cooking… in Hong Kong? No vegan restaurants here…
Goodness me!!! Wow, wow, wow!!! Where do I sign up? It sounds incredibly liberating and life changing and full of epiphanies! I don't eat meat but I sure do eat a lot of diary and fish ….maybe I should cut them out too…? Hmmmm – somethign to think about.Well done Diana – terrific stuff – thank you for sharing!
So great post !
this is so inspiring – I keep saying I will eat healthier but I never do. I think I may have to start now…
Wow, that's amazing! What a great post! Food for thought for sure!
Epic! Wow, you sound even more excited then when you were about to start on this one week diet switch! It's hard to eat vegan or vegetarian where I live but I could take extra small baby steps by cutting out McD's. I want to feel better about my body too!You & Naomi are amazing, so much to learn from you ladies.
Way to go, Diana!!! I'm very proud of you.
I'm not vegan or even vegetarian (though sometimes I seriously consider going that way), but a little over a year ago I did start eating much healthier — so I do know what you mean about it being life changing. It feels so good!! When I started eating veggies (*for real* started – I'd hated them for most of my life), I no longer craved junk food and I somehow lost about 15 pounds that I haven't had to worry about since then. It's a really great experience! And I don't think you'll want to go back… sometimes fast food sounds good, but when you have it again, it just doesn't taste worth it anymore.
wow! looks tasty!I love vegetarian food!xxxhttp://zebratrash.blogspot.com
I used to be a vegetarian when I was a child…something my family always snickered about. I have always hated milk. My Mother used to dye my milk to match my mashed potatoes (I was always color coordinated child)…but it didn't work. I hated the stuff.Recently, I have decided to go Vegan. With diabetes looking me in the eye and over a hundred pounds to lose. I decided this was the way to go for me.The hardest thing for me is cooking tofu. I can't seem to get it right. Got any great tips?Eating vegan and raw can reverse diabetes.I have also cut our enriched flours.I only have whole wheat flour now and NO sugar or sugar like products except honey and Agave Necta.Baking without eggs is a challenge but not one that I can not do…there are so many recipes out there.I enjoyed our visit and hope that you will come over to BBAC and look at some of my recipes.Southern smiles and world peace,Sharon~The Baby Boomer Queen~
Wow! That is so awesome to hear! Congratulations, going down the veggie path is absolutely the best thing I've ever done. The benefits just don't stop. Have fun with it!
That looks and sounds like such a worthwhile change Diana… can I come over for dinner like every night
Your food looks delicious. No but yeah, I'm going to go print some of those recipes out. My brother is a pescatarian, and I'm sure he'd love to try some of these!
Oh my goodness, congrats!! I've wanted to try this for so long– this is totally inspiring!
Boy, do I envy you! My will power is so pathetic when it comes to getting rid of junk food all together. Sigh. Exuses. Excuses. And coffee? I don't even want to think about it. Ah ha. Which is so silly, because I gave it up when I was preggers. Way to be lady!
tasty, what a great monday tip!
it all actually looks great
good for you diana! if you haven't read anything by peter singer, you must. i recommend "the ethics of what we eat." the reasons for his veganism are a lot different but his books are life changing.
Can't sustain muscle/health eating under 1000 calories a day.
WOW I'm so so proud of you hon! I'm convinced. I def need to try some of Naomi's recipes.
you are such an inspiration!!!While, I do not think that I could completely go vegetarian or vegan…I am willing to give a little to benefit my body. I currently try to eat vegetarian at least one day per week. I don't see why I couldn't attempt to substitue in a vegan day as well. I will look at Naomi's recipes…thank you for this Diana!
This is so inspiring. And you have lost nearly 9 pounds. Fantastic!
Good for you! It's so great to hear how well veganism works for you.I've been lacto-ovo-vegetarian for three years now, and I've been thinking about going vegan. This gave me a lot of encouragement, I might actually brave it soon!
…But I looooove cheese!
I can completely relate to this post and understand the love/hate relationship towards food; it took me a long time to get past it. This post is awesome Diana, well written and really interesting.
Responding to: Anonymous said…Can't sustain muscle/health eating under 1000 calories a day.This is most definitely true and something I explained to you, right Diana? It is yet another reason why vegan must eat a whole TON of cake. hahaha.
To Anonymous- Yes, i chow down on cake and baked vegan goods AND my vitamins so weight lifting won't be so bad. The soup days are the less caloric days.
I was raised vegetarian and I've been gluten intolerant for four years now. I don't want to go completely vegan- I've tried it (I've also tried eating meat and I hated it!) One of my favorite things that I've done is changed the type of dairy I consume- the cheese that I eat is almost always goat cheese! It's so decadent and delicious that I don't need as much, and my digestive system responds to it so much better than cow's milk cheeses.
This is so good…inspiring in fact!I need to eat more healthy food before the holiday season is fast approaching~
that sandwich looks so good. good for you for doing it. i know i don't have the motivation!
SHIT. i have some of the same issues you used to have. i LOVE food. and i use it to make me happy. or to relieve stress. or just because it tastes delicious. i should try this. but i am kind of terrified. oh, i will look at these recipes and see if i can make them work. eke! but kudos to you on a job well done. you are amazing!
wow! i'm so proud of you for sticking to the challenge and learning so much from it! i dont think the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle is for me, but i've definitely gotten more health-conscious in the past two years. this is just more inspiration!
Congratulations!!! I am so happy to hear this news. You've just inspired this pescatorian to cut out the junk food and be healthier
that is so amazing! I don't think I'm brave enough to do that! It's so impressive that you've made an effort to treat your body right. Is it wierd to say I'm proud of you? Well I am!-indigo
i honestly don't know if i could go vegan! i could probably go vegetarian. meat is so expensive and you can get protein and iron from lots of pulses. i really need to start eating healthier but i don't know if i can give up cupcakes haha
you are an inspiration.
and WOW, 8lbs is truly impressive, especially in a week. i'm trying out some of naomi's recipes this weekend!
wow…that was a really interresting and inspiring!i'm heading to check out some of these recipies!thanks…
Wow everything looks delicious! Eeeee, congrats on going vegan!
*wow I haven't visited your blog in so long (haven't even really been on the comp much) I miss visiting!Lovely blog as always dear! 
I love all your posts!♡ Jennifer.
Well done, Diana! I'm not certain if I could (or would, hehe) ever accomplish anything quite like this, but I do try to make healthy decisions regarding my diet as often as possible. The consequences of eating certain foods can be detrimental to our health and well being (as you highlighted with stress, fatigue, and other not so pleasant things), so I find that making informed & healthy decisions to be worth it on so many levels. This post is such a great inspiration for me to further implement and explore healthy eating habits. Thank you for sharing your story!
So inspiring! I'm gonna give it a try with some help from your good friend and vegan chef
I don't have much will power so I sure hope I can replicate what you've done. Your story sure makes me want to give it a good try. Thanks for sharing it.
What a great post, so inspiring!I love hearing about people going vegan and discovering how great it is.
wow this is such an awesome idea!! I really want to try it now!! Thanks for sharing your experience with us!!