Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The Journey Begins

Welcome to my new blog! Some of you may know me as Drunk Mama over at wineamongfriends.com. I'll still be writing about my adventures in wine over there, although there may be an occasional cross posting. I've decided to start a fresh page, because it's 2011, baby, and I'm ready for something fresh! After being a vegan voyeur for years I've decided it's time to take the plunge. Or, at least 1/3 of a plunge, LOL!

I've done the research. Beginning with Diet for a New America, which my friend Chris turned me onto way back in '99, to more recent books like Skinny Bitch and Detox 4 Women, I'm convinced that a vegan diet is the healthiest one out there. In fact, after reading Diet for a New America, I went vegetarian as my new year's resolution in 2000, with the idea that I would gradually transition to veganism.

Eleven years (gulp!) and two kids later, I'm a confirmed omnivore. I had such powerful cravings for meat -- steak, specifically -- during my first pregnancy that I ended 6 years of vegetarianism with the most delicious filet mignon I've ever had at Cafe Pasqual's in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I tried to quell my conscience with the notion that it was a Nieman Ranch steak, which meant that the animal had been humanely raised and slaughtered.

Now my husband and I belong to a meat CSA, and have vowed to limit our at-home meat consumption to the 10 pounds a month we get from Chestnut Farms. But my conscience is still nagging at me. I continue to read up on veganism, and find myself drawn to the new vegan cookbooks that are constantly coming out. (Stay tuned for reviews of my favorites!) When I really think about what an animal raised for meat goes through -- no matter how humanely cared for -- there's something in me that rebels against it. If it were up to me to raise and kill my own meat there's no question, I would be vegetarian. So, how can eating meat be right for me if it requires a certain amount of denial?

I want to live life with my eyes wide open, fully conscious of how all my decisions -- not just those that effect what's on my plate -- influence the experience of all living beings. And so... I've decided to dip my toes in the water. How hard can it be to eat vegan once a day? I welcome you to follow along as I find out. I plan to post my favorite meals 2-3 times a week, as well as reviews of the books that inspire me and help to keep me on the path. Let's be honest, with two small children, there will be days when my vegan dish is a bowl of coconut milk yogurt (yum!) and granola. But hopefully there'll be lots more elaborate and interesting meals too.

Stay tuned!



7 comments:

  1. Whoah, there's coconut milk yogurt? Where do I get me some of that??!! (Whole Foods, probably?)

    Looking forward to reading about your vegan adventures. Go, you!

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  2. I applaud you in this journey Erin! Feel free to get inspiration, ideas or easy to make recipes from our FB site www.facebook.com/naturawlbeing. Try to make those meals you choose vegan to be natural home-prepared ones. Sometimes the packaged vegan choices out there are not much better than the SAD (standard american diet) choices either. Making your own "mylks" are super easy (my 4 yrd old made a batch last night) and taste 1,000 times better than any store bought (minus the nasty additives). Good luck, we'll be following your journey :)

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  3. Welcome to a whole new world! I am so excited to watch your discoveries.

    As an (almost lifelong vegetarian who tries to observe a Vegan diet) mom of two vegetarians, I am really excited to see what you find.

    Best of luck, and can't wait to see what you find.

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  4. Jane -- I've only ever found coconut milk yogurt at Whole Foods, sadly.
    Naturawl Being -- I'll definitely check out your site! I'm intrigued with the idea of making my own almond milk, but am battling laziness since it's so easy to buy pre-packaged. (I used to feel the same way about store-bought hummus, though, and now am sold on making it myself. It's the only way I can get my kids to eat kale!)
    Pondering Jane -- thanks for checking out my blog! Do you have suggestions for kid-friendly recipes?

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  5. Congratulations on your new blog - I can't wait to read about your recipes.

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  6. I'm so excited about this! I'm 4/5ths vegan myself these days! Crazy how many times I've told the story of when I actually became vegetarian... it was sitting with you at that Thai place in Boston "House Of Siam." We had been talking veg*an stuff for weeks so i ordered the veggie-basil that night (instead of the chicken-basil) and have never looked back :)

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  7. I remember that night at House of Siam! I'm so glad you found the blog, Chris. You're my original vegan guru :)

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